Heterocyclic compounds useful as inhibitors of tyrosine kinases

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are novel compounds of formula (I): 
                 
 
wherein Ar 1 , X, Y, P, Q and Het are defined herein, which are useful as inhibitors of certain protein tyrosine kinases and are thus useful for treating diseases resulting from inappropriate cell proliferation, which include autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, allergic diseases, transplant rejection and cancer, as well as conditions resulting from cerebral ischemia, such as stroke. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, processes for preparing these compounds and novel intermediate compounds useful in these processes.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/921,510, filed Aug. 2, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,489,328, which application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/224,724, filed Aug. 11, 2000, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to substituted compounds of formula (I):

wherein Ar₁, X, Y, P, Q and Het are defined below, which are useful as inhibitors of certain protein tyrosine kinases and are thus useful for treating diseases resulting from inappropriate cell proliferation, which include autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, allergic diseases, transplant rejection and cancer, as well as conditions resulting from cerebral ischemia, such as stroke. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediate useful in these processes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tyrosine kinases play an essential role in the regulation of cell signaling and cell proliferation by phosphorylating tyrosine residues of peptides and proteins. Inappropriate activation of tyrosine kinases is known to be involved in a variety of disease states, including immunologic and oncologic disorders.

It has been well established that T cells play an important role in regulating the immune response (F. Powrie and R. L. Coffman, Immunol. Today, 1993, 14, 270). Activation of T cells is often the initiating event in many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In addition to their role in immune surveillance, T cells can become autoreactive by recognizing self-antigens and thereby cause autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

The T cell receptor (TCR) is the antigen-specific component of the T cell and is activated when the receptor is engaged with foreign or self-antigenic peptides. When the TCR is activated a series of enzyme-mediated signal transduction cascades is initiated which results in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interlukin-2 (IL-2). The release of IL-2 is critically important since this lymphokine is required for T-lymphocyte proliferation, differentiation, and effector function. Clinical studies have shown that interference with IL-2 activity effectively suppresses immune response in vivo (T. A. Waldmann, Immunol. Today, 1993, 14, 270). Accordingly, agents which inhibit T-lymphocyte activation and subsequent IL-2 production, or block the activity of IL-2 are therapeutically useful for selectively suppressing immune response in a patient in need of such immunosuppression.

The eight members of the src family of tyrosine kinases are src, lck, fyn, lyn, hck, fgr, blk and yes (J. B. Bolen, J. S. Brugge, Ann. Rev. Immunol., 1997, 15, 371). These can be divided into 2 groups based on their pattern of tissue expression. Src, fyn and yes have a broad distribution while expression of lck, lyn, hck, fgr, and blk is largely limited to hemopoietic cells. The therapeutic effects of inhibiting kinases of the src family can be ascertained by linking functional defects seen in gene disruption studies in mice. Src(−/−) mice had severe abnormalities in bone remodeling. Inhibition of src may therefore be useful in treating osteoporosis. Lck(−/−) mice display a complete lack of CD4+ cells are unable to mount antigen-dependent immune responses.

A kinase of particular interest is p56lck, which is only expressed in T-cells. Within the TCR signal transduction cascade the tyrosine kinase p56lck is a required element to initiate the activation response from the TCR intracellular domains to other signaling proteins. For example, T cells which lack the p56lck protein are unable to signal through the T cell receptor (D. B. Straus and A. Weiss, Cell, 1992, 70, 585). Transfection of p56lck back into these cell lines restores TCR responsiveness. Also, it has been shown in mice that inactivation of the p56lck gene leads to lack of proper thymocyte development (T. J. Molina et al., Nature, 1992, 357, 161).

The conclusion drawn from these studies is that p56lck plays a crucial role in T cell maturation and antigen-induced T-cell activation. Therefore, an agent blocking p56lck would effectively block T cell function, act as an immunosuppressive agent and have potential utility in autoimmune diseases, for example rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, transplant rejection and allergic diseases (J. H. Hanke et al., Inflamm. Res., 1995, 44, 357).

Inhibitors of other members of the src family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases are also useful for treating various disease states. Src is present in osteoclasts, and is important in bone remodeling. For example, inactivation of p60src diminishes bone resorption by osteoclasts (P. Soriano et al., Cell 1991, 64, 693, B. F. Boyce et al. J. Clin. Invest 1992, 90, 1622), it is therefore possible that inhibitors of the kinase activity of p60src are useful in the treatment of osteoporosis, Paget's disease and inflammation of bones and joints.

Src kinases have been found to be activated in tumors, including breast and colon cancers, melanoma and sarcoma. For example, a number of primary tumors and tumor cell lines from patients with breast cancer, colon cancer, melanoma and sarcoma have been shown to have elevated src kinase activity, and activating src mutations are seen in some advanced colon cancers. Inhibitors of src kinase had significant antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines (M. M. Moasser et al., Cancer Res., 1999, 59, 6145) and inhibited the transformation of cells to an oncogenic phenotype (R. Karni et al., Oncogene, 1999, 18, 4654) suggesting that src kinase inhibitors may be useful anti-cancer agents.

Src inhibitors have also been reported to be effective in an animal model of cerebral ischemia (R. Paul et al. Nature Medicine 2001, 7, 222), suggesting that src kinase inhibitors may thus be useful in treating conditions involving cerebral ischemia. For example, src kinase inhibitors may be useful in reducing brain damage following stroke.

In addition, src family kinases participate in signal transduction in several cell types. For example, fyn, like lck, is involved in T-cell activation. Hck and fgr are involved in Fc gamma receptor mediated oxidative burst of neutrophils. Src and lyn are believed to be important in Fc epsilon induced degranulation of mast cells, and so may play a role in asthma and other allergic diseases. The kinase lyn is known to be involved in the cellular response to DNA damage induced by UV light (T. Hiwasa, FEBS Lett. 1999, 444, 173) or ionizing radiation (S. Kumar, J. Biol Chem, 1998, 273, 25654). Inhibitors of lyn kinase may thus be useful as potentiators in radiation therapy.

Platelet derived growth factor is a potent mitogen for smooth muscle cells. Its receptor (PDGFR) is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family (L. Claesson-Welsh, J. Biol Chem, 1994, 269, 32023). PDGF is involved in atherosclerosis and restenosis (K. E. Bornfeldt, Trends Cardiovasc. Med., 1996, 6, 143). In addition, receptor tyrosine kinases including PDGFR kinase have been implicated as contributing factors in cancer (A. Levitzki and A. Gazit, Science, 1995, 267, 1782) including ovarian (M. B. Dabrow et al., Gynecologic Oncology, 1998, 71, 29) and prostate (S. M. Sintich et al., Endocrinology, 1999, 140, 3411) cancers and glioblastoma (B. J. Silver, BioFactors, 1992 3, 217). Inhibitors of PDGFR kinase are thus useful in the treatment of fibrotic diseases, restenosis and PDGF-dependent tumors. Reports have appeared in the literature of agents that inhibit the kinase activity of p56lck kinase and thus inhibit T cell activation. These include the natural product lavendustin A, and analogs (M. S. Smyth, J. Med. Chem., 1993, 36, 3010), the natural product damnacanthal (C. R. Faltynek et al., Biochemistry, 1995, 34, 12404), and a 1-methoxy agroclavine isolated from a fungal extract (R. Padmanabha et al. Bioorganic and Med. Chem. Letters, 1998, 8, 569). Other inhibitors reported include WIN 61651 (J. Enzyme Inhibition, 1995, 9, 111) pyrazolopyrimidines PP1 and PP2 (Hanke et al. J. Biol Chem, 1996, 271, 695) and indanone and indandione derivatives (J. L. Bullington et al., Bioorganic and Med. Chem. Letters, 1998, 8, 2489).

A. P. Spader et al. (WO 98/54157, 1998) describe quinoline and quinoxaline compounds that inhibit p56lck and PDGFR kinase. Fused polycyclic 2-aminopyrimidine derivatives that inhibit p56lck are reported by J. M. Davis et al. (WO 98/28281, 1998). J. Das et al. claim a series of benzothiazole amides as inhibitors of lck and other src family kinases (WO 99/24035, 1999). Inhibitors of PDGFR kinase and src-family kinases were reviewed by H. D. H. Showalter, A. J. Kraker, Pharmacol. Ther., 1997, 76, 55. Several patents on inhibitors of lck are reviewed in P. M. Traxler, Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents, 1997, 7, 571, and P. M. Traxler, Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents, 1998, 8, 1599.

EP 322 746 A1 discloses heterocyclic lactam derivatives described as being useful as cardiotonic agents, antihypertensive agents and vasodilators.

Examples of tricyclic systems similar to formula (I) above are known, but not having the 2-amino substituents on the benzimidazole ring. See S. W. Schneller et al., J. Med. Chem., 1989, 32, 2247. Examples of tricyclic systems similar to formula (I) with a carbamate at the 2-position have been reported in S. Kumar et al., Indian J. Chem. 1981, 20B, 1068 and S. Agarwal et al., Z. Naturforsch. C, 1993, 48, 829.

The compounds of the present invention represent a novel structural class, which is distinct from previously reported tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The work cited above supports the principle that inhibition of the kinases mentioned above will be beneficial in the treatment of various disease states.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide novel compounds which inhibit PDGFR kinase and the src-family kinases including lck, src, fyn, lyn, hck, fgr, blk and yes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide methods for treating diseases and pathological conditions mediated by src-family tyrosine kinases and PDGFR kinase such as autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, psoriasis, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, cancer, including src-dependent tumors and PDGF-dependent tumors, cerebral ischemic conditions, atherosclerosis, restenosis and allergic diseases, using the novel compounds of the invention.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide processes of preparation of the above-mentioned novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The src-family tyrosine kinases and PDGFR kinase discussed above exhibit some homology in their amino acid structure. It is contemplated that due to structural differences between individual src-family kinases and PDGFR kinase, different compounds of the invention may have different inhibitory potencies against individual tyrosine kinases. Thus some of compounds of the invention may also be expected to be most effective in treating diseases mediated by tyrosine kinases that they inhibit most potently. Particular compounds disclosed herein have been shown to be active inhibitors of p56lck kinase, p60src kinase and PDGFR kinase. See the section entitled “Assessment of Biological Properties” disclosed herein.

In its broadest generic aspect, the invention provides novel compounds of the formula (I) below:

wherein:

-   -   Ar₁ is an aromatic or nonaromatic carbocycle, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle         is optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   X is NH, N—C₁₋₃alkyl, N-cyclopropyl, S or O;     -   Y is NR₁₃;     -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from H,         halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched saturated or         unsaturated alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀         branched or unbranched acyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched         acyloxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkylthio, aminosulfonyl,         di-(C₁₋₃)alkylaminosulfonyl, NR₈R₉, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy,         arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy; wherein the         abovementioned R₁ and R₂ are optionally partially or fully         halogenated or optionally substituted with one to three groups         independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, OH,         NR₈R₉, C₁₋₆ branched or unbranched alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl,         phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, aminocarbonyl and mono- or         di(C₁₋₃)alkylaminocarbonyl;     -   R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, OH,         (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy optionally halogenated and         C₁₋₃alkylthio;     -   Het represents a fused heterocylic ring having a formula A, B or         C:     -   R₄ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched,         saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with         phenyl, OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, or C₅₋₈cycloalkenyl;         or R₄ is selected from (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈COR₁₀,         (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle, each phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle being         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, OH, SO₃H or halogen;     -   R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₁₀alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl,         C₁₋₆acyl, each being optionally substituted with one or more         halogen, OH, oxo, CN, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, NR₈COR₁₀, SR₁₀, CONR₈R₉,         CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl,         aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein each         of C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl,         C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl,         heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one or         more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino,         guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or         more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, amidino or guanidino         groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl, phenyl C₀₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀;     -   or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, aryl, heteroaryl,         heterocycle, aryl-CO—, heteroaryl-CO— or heterocycle-CO—,         wherein each aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally         substituted with one to three:     -   C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, NO₂, CN, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkylS(O)_(p),         NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, CO(CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl,aryl, heteroaryl,         heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, aryl-Z—, heteroaryl-Z—,         heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl         or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected from         C₁₋₁₀alkylene branched or unbranched, CO, S(O)_(p), O, S, NH,         CONH, NHCO, COO or OOC, and wherein each cycloalkyl, aryl,         heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂,         C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido or guanidino, wherein one or more of the         amino nitrogens in the ureido or guanidino groups in this         paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenyl         C₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each alkyl, alkoxy and         phenyl in this paragraph is optionally partially or fully         halogenated;     -   or R₅ is a C₆₋₁₂ bridged- or spiro-bicyclic ring system,         optionally having one or two double bonds in the ring system,         and wherein up to 3 carbon atoms in the ring system may be         replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and wherein         said ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, amidino,         (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the         amino nitrogens in the ureido, guanidino or amidino groups in         this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         phenyl C₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   R₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₂₋₆alkenyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkenyl, aryl, aryl C₁₋₃alkyl, heteroaryl and         heterocyclyl; wherein said C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl,         heteroaryl or heterocyclyl are optionally substituted with OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂,         aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl;     -   R₇ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀ acyl branched or unbranched,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl,         arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain         completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached;         wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O,         S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein         said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH         or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁ R₁₂;     -   R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each         alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoyloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl         optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂;     -   R₁₃ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;     -   P and Q are each independently CH or N;     -   m is 1-4;     -   n is 0-3;     -   and p is 0-2;     -   wherein one or more of the primary amine or secondary amine         nitrogen atoms in any of the R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ substituent         groups may optionally be protected by a protecting group;     -   and the pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention, there are provided compounds of the formula (I) as described above, and wherein:

Ar₁ is

-   -   a) a cycloalkyl group selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,         cyclopentanyl, cyclohexanyl and cycloheptanyl;     -   b) a cycloalkenyl group selected from cyclopentenyl,         cyclohexenyl, and cycloheptenyl;     -   c) an aromatic carbocycle selected from phenyl, naphthyl,         indanyl, indenyl, dihydronaphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl or         fluorenyl,     -   d) a heteroaryl selected from pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl,         pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl, furyl,         isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl,         thiadiazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl,         benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl,         benzpyrazolyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, quinazolinyl,         and indazolyl, or a fused heteroaryl selected from         cyclopentenopyridine, cyclohexanopyridine,         cyclopentanopyrimidine, cyclohexanopyrimidine,         cyclopentanopyrazine, cyclohexanopyrazine,         cyclopentanopyridazine, cyclohexanopyridazine,         cyclopentanoquinoline, cyclohexanoquinoline,         cyclopentanoisoquinoline, cyclohexanoisoquinoline,         cyclopentanoindole, cyclohexanoindole,         cyclopentanobenzimidazole, cyclohexanobenzimidazole,         cyclopentanobenzoxazole, cyclohexanobenzoxazole,         cyclopentanoimidazole, cyclohexanoimidazole,         cyclopentanothiophene and cyclohexanothiophene; or     -   e) a heterocycle selected from: pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl,         pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl,         thiomorpholinyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, piperazinyl and         indolinyl;     -   wherein each of the above Ar₁ are optionally substituted by one         or more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   R₁ and R₂ are as defined in the broadest generic aspect above,         and R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxymethyl or         OH;     -   wherein each of the above Ar₁ are optionally substituted by one         or more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   R₁ and R₂ are as defined in the broadest generic aspect above,         and R₃ is H, halogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxymethyl or OH;     -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or         unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is         (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀ or (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉;     -   R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₁₀alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl,         C₁₋₆acyl, each being optionally substituted with one or more         halogen, OH, oxo, CN, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, NR₈COR₁₀, SR₁₀, CONR₈R₉,         CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl,         aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein each         of C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl,         C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl,         heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one or         more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino,         guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or         more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, amidino or guanidino         groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀;     -   or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, aryl, heteroaryl,         heterocycle, aryl-CO—, heteroaryl-CO— or heterocycle-CO—,         wherein each aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally         substituted with one to three:     -   C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, NO₂, CN, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkylS(O)_(p),         NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉,CO(CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,         heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, aryl-Z—, heteroaryl-Z—,         heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl         or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected from         C₁₋₁₀alkylene branched or unbranched, CO, S(O)_(p), O, S, NH,         CONH, NHCO, COO or OOC, and wherein each cycloalkyl, aryl,         heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂,         C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido or guanidino, wherein one or more of the         amino nitrogens in the ureido or guanidino groups in this         paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each alkyl, alkoxy         and phenyl in this paragraph is optionally partially or fully         halogenated;     -   or R₅ is a C₆₋₁₂ bridged- or spiro-bicyclic ring system,         optionally having one or two double bonds in the ring system,         and wherein up to 3 carbon atoms in the ring system may be         replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and wherein         said ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, haogen, CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, amidino,         (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the         amino nitrogens in the ureido, guanidino or amidino groups in         this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   R₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₂₋₆alkenyl branched or unbranched, or CO₂R₁₀; wherein said         C₁₋₆alkyl or C₁₋₆alkenyl are optionally substituted with OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂,         aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl;     -   R₇ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, OH, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, benzoyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl,         benzoyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted         with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain         completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached;         wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O,         S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein         said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH         or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoyloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂;     -   R₁₃ is H; and     -   P and Q are each CH.

In another embodiment of the invention, there are provided compounds of the formula (I) as described immediately above, and wherein:

-   -   Ar₁ is phenyl or pyridyl, each optionally subsituted by one or         more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   X is NH or N—C₁₋₃alkyl;     -   Y is NH;     -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and selected from: halogen,         C₁₋₃alkyl, wherein the C₁₋₃alkyl is optionally partially or         fully halogenated, NO₂ or NR₈R₉;     -   R₃ is H, halogen, methyl or methoxy;     -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or         unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is         (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉ or CO₂R₁₀;     -   R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl or C₂₋₄alkenyl, each being         optionally substituted with one or more OH, CN, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein each phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is         optionally substituted with one or more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino, guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in         the amidino or guanidino groups in this paragraph may be         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀;     -   or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, phenyl, furyl,         thienyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl,         benzofuranyl, benzimidazolyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl,         pyrrolinyl, 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl,         benzoyl, or indolyl-CO—, wherein each phenyl, furyl, thienyl,         oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, benzofuranyl,         benzimidazolyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl, pyrrolinyl,         1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl, benzoyl or         indolyl-CO— is optionally substituted with one to three:     -   halogen, NO₂, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkyl S(O)_(p), NR₈R₉,         (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl, phenyl,         heteroaryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, phenyl-Z—,         heteroaryl-Z—, heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with phenyl or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group         selected from C₁₋₃alkylene branched or unbranched, O, S(O)_(p)         or NH, and wherein each cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂, C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉ or guanidino,         wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the guanidino         group in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each         alkyl, alkoxy and phenyl in this paragraph is optionally         partially or fully halogenated;     -   or R₅ is a C₆₋₇ bridged-bicyclic ring system, optionally having         one or two double bonds in the ring system, and wherein up to 1         carbon atom in the ring system may be replaced by a nitrogen         atom; and wherein said ring system may be optionally substituted         with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched or         CO₂R₁₀;     -   R₇ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀,         phenyl, or benzoyl; wherein said alkyl, phenyl or benzoyl are         optionally substituted with OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a —(CH₂)₂—N(CO₂R₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group, a         —(CH₂)₂—N(COR₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group, a —(CH₂)₂—N(R₁₁)—(CH₂)₂— group         or a —(CH₂)₂—N(C(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂)—(CH₂)₂— group; and wherein said         ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, or OH;     -   R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃ alkanoyloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₃alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy or OH;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂.

In yet another embodiment of the invention there are provided compounds of the formula (I) as described immediately above, and wherein:

-   -   Ar₁ is phenyl;     -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and selected from: halogen,         methyl optionally partially or fully halogenated, NO₂ and NH₂;     -   R₃ is H, chloro, fluoro, bromo or methoxy;     -   R₅ is selected from C₂₋₄alkenyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl or         C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, each being optionally substituted with one or         more OH, CN, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉ or phenyl; wherein phenyl is         optionally substituted with one or more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, amidino, guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;         wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the amidino or         guanidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted         with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenyl C₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   or R₅ is selected from phenyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl,         thiazolyl, pyridinyl, benzofuranyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridinyl,         pyrrolinyl, 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl or         indolyl-CO—, wherein each phenyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl,         thiazolyl, pyridinyl, benzofuranyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridinyl,         pyrrolinyl, 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl, or         indolyl-CO— is optionally substituted with one to two:     -   halogen, NO₂, SO₂NR₈R₉, NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, ureido,         cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—,         heteroaryl-Z—or heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected         from C₁₋₃alkylene branched or unbranched, wherein each         cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally         substituted with NO₂, C₁₋₃alkyl, CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉ or guanidino,         wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the guanidino         group in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl; and wherein each alkyl and phenyl in this paragraph         is optionally partially or fully halogenated;     -   or R₅ is a 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ring system, optionally         having one or two double bonds in the ring system, wherein said         ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₆ is selected from H or C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched;     -   R₇ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H or C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched; wherein         said alkyl is optionally substituted with OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a —(CH₂)₂—N(CO₂R₁₀)—(CH₂)₂—, a         —(CH₂)₂—N(COR₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group, a —(CH₂)₂—N(R₁₁)—(CH₂)₂— group         or a —(CH₂)₂—N(C(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂)—(CH₂)₂— group; and wherein said         ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, or OH;     -   R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH or         C₁₋₃alkanoyloxy; and     -   R₁₁ is selected from H and C₁₋₃alkyl.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, there are provided any of the compounds of formula (I) described above wherein Het represents a fused ring having formula B:

In still another embodiment of the invention, there are provided compounds of the formula (I′) below:

wherein:

-   -   X is NH, N—C₁₋₃alkyl, N-cyclopropyl, S or O;     -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from H,         halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched saturated or         unsaturated alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀         branched or unbranched acyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched         acyloxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkylthio, aminosulfonyl,         di-(C₁₋₃)alkylaminosulfonyl, NR₈R₉, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy,         arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy; wherein the         abovementioned R₁ and R₂ are optionally partially or fully         halogenated or optionally substituted with one to three groups         independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, OH,         NR₈R₉, C₁₋₆ branched or unbranched alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl,         phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, aminocarbonyl and mono- or         di(C₁₋₃)alkylaminocarbonyl;     -   R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, OH,         (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy optionally halogenated and         C₁₋₃alkylthio;

Het represents a fused heterocyclic ring having a formula A, B or C:

-   -   R₄ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched,         saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with         phenyl, OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, or C₅₋₈cycloalkenyl;         or R₄ is selected from (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈COR₁₀,         (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle, each phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle being         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, OH, SO₃H or halogen;     -   R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₁₀alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl,         C₁₋₆acyl, each being optionally substituted with one or more         halogen, OH, oxo, CN, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, NR₈COR₁₀, SR₁₀, CONR₈R₉,         CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl,         aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein each         of C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl,         C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl,         heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one or         more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino,         guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more         of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, amidino or guanidino         groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀;     -   or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, aryl, heteroaryl,         heterocycle, aryl-CO—, heteroaryl-CO— or heterocycle-CO—,         wherein each aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally         substituted with one to three:     -   C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, NO₂, CN, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkyl S(O)_(p),         NR₈R₉, (CH₂)₂CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, CO(CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,         heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, aryl-Z—, heteroaryl-Z—,         heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl         or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected from         C₁₋₁₀alkylene branched or unbranched, CO, S(O)_(p), O, S, NH,         CONH, NHCO, COO or OOC, and wherein each cycloalkyl, aryl,         heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂,         C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido or guanidino, wherein one or more of the         amino nitrogens in the ureido or guanidino groups in this         paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenyl         C₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each alkyl, alkoxy and         phenyl in this paragraph is optionally partially or fully         halogenated;     -   or R₅ is a C₆₋₁₂ bridged- or spiro-bicyclic ring system,         optionally having one or two double bonds in the ring system,         and wherein up to 3 carbon atoms in the ring system may be         replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and wherein         said ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, amidino,         (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the         amino nitrogens in the ureido, guanidino or amidino groups in         this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   R₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₂₋₆alkenyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkenyl, aryl, aryl C₁₋₃alkyl, heteroaryl and         heterocyclyl; wherein said C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl,         heteroaryl or heterocyclyl are optionally substituted with OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂,         aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl;     -   R₇ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀ acyl branched or unbranched,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl C₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl,         arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain         completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached;         wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O,         S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀ NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein         said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH         or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each         alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl         optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂;     -   R₁₃ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;     -   P and Q are each independently CH or N;     -   m is 1-4;     -   n is 0-3;     -   and p is 0-2;     -   wherein one or more of the primary amine or secondary amine         nitrogen atoms in any of the R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ substituent         groups may optionally be protected by a protecting group;     -   and the pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.

In another embodiment of the invention there are provided compounds of the formula(I′) as described above, and wherein:

-   -   X is NH or N—C₁₋₃alkyl;     -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and selected from: halogen,         C₁₋₃ alkyl, wherein the C₁₋₃ alkyl is optionally partially or         fully halogenated, NO₂ or NR₈R₉;     -   R₃ is H, halogen, methyl or methoxy;     -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or         unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is         (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉ or CO₂R₁₀;     -   R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl or C₂₋₄alkenyl, each being         optionally substituted with one or more OH, CN, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein each phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is         optionally substituted with one or more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino, guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in         the amidino or guanidino groups in this paragraph may be         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀;     -   or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, phenyl, furyl,         thienyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl,         benzofuranyl, benzimidazolyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl,         pyrrolinyl, 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl,         benzoyl, or indolyl-CO—, wherein each phenyl, furyl, thienyl,         oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, benzofuranyl,         benzimidazolyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl, pyrrolinyl,         1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl, benzoyl or         indolyl-CO— is optionally substituted with one to three:     -   halogen, NO₂, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkyl S(O)_(p), NR₈R₉,         (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl, phenyl,         heteroaryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, phenyl-Z—,         heteroaryl-Z—, heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with phenyl or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group         selected from C₁₋₃alkylene branched or unbranched, O, S(O)_(p)         or NH, and wherein each cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂, C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉ or guanidino,         wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the guanidino         group in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl, phenyl C₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each         alkyl, alkoxy and phenyl in this paragraph is optionally         partially or fully halogenated;     -   or R₅ is a C₆₋₇ bridged-bicyclic ring system, optionally having         one or two double bonds in the ring system, and wherein up to 1         carbon atom in the ring system may be replaced by a nitrogen         atom; and wherein said ring system may be optionally substituted         with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched or         CO₂R₁₀;     -   R₇ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀,         phenyl, or benzoyl; wherein said alkyl, phenyl or benzoyl are         optionally substituted with OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a —(CH₂)₂—N(CO₂R₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group, a         —(CH₂)₂—N(COR₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group, a —(CH₂)₂—N(R₁₁)—(CH₂)₂— group         or a —(CH₂)₂—N(C(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂)—(CH₂)₂— group; and wherein said         ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, or OH;     -   R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₃alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy or OH;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; and     -   P and Q are each CH

In still a further embodiment of the invention there are provided compounds of the formula (I′) as described immediately above, and wherein:

-   -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and selected from: halogen,         methyl optionally partially or fully halogenated, NO₂ and NH₂;     -   R₃ is H, chloro, fluoro, bromo or methoxy;     -   R₅ is selected from C₂₋₄alkenyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl or         C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, each being optionally substituted with one or         more OH, CN, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉ or phenyl; wherein phenyl is         optionally substituted with one or more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, amidino, guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;         wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the amidino or         guanidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted         with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   or R₅ is selected from phenyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl,         thiazolyl, pyridinyl, benzofuranyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridinyl,         pyrrolinyl, 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl or         indolyl-CO—, wherein each phenyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl,         thiazolyl, pyridinyl, benzofuranyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridinyl,         pyrrolinyl, 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl or         indolyl-CO— is optionally substituted with one to two:     -   halogen, NO₂, SO₂NR₈R₉, NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, ureido,         cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—,         heteroaryl-Z—or heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected         from C₁₋₃alkylene branched or unbranched or S(O)_(p), wherein         each cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally         substituted with NO₂, C₁₋₃alkyl, CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉ or guanidino,         wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the guanidino         group in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl; and wherein each alkyl and phenyl in this paragraph         is optionally partially or fully halogenated;     -   or R₅ is a 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ring system, optionally         having one or two double bonds in the ring system, wherein said         ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₆ is selected from H or C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched.     -   R₇ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H or C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched; wherein         said alkyl is optionally substituted with OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a —(CH₂)₂—N(CO₂R₁₀)—(CH₂)₂—, a         —(CH₂—N(COR₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group, a —(CH₂)₂—N(R₁₁)—(CH₂)₂— group or         a —(CH₂)₂—N(C(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂)—(CH₂)₂— group; and wherein said         ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, or OH;     -   R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH or         C₁₋₃alkanoloxy; and     -   R₁₁ is selected from H and C₁₋₃alkyl.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, there are provided any of the compounds of formula (I′) described above wherein Het represents a fused ring having formula B:

In yet another aspect of the invention, there are provided compounds of the following formula Ib:

wherein R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl, and Ar₁ and R₅ are as defined in formula (I) above.

The present invention is also directed to the intermediate compounds of the following formulae (VI), (XII), (XVIII) and (XIX) useful in the synthetic schemes and examples set forth below.

Formula (VI)

In their broadest generic aspect, intermediate compounds of the formula (VI) are represented by the following formula:

wherein:

-   -   R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl;     -   R₄ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched,         saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with         phenyl, OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy; or R₄ is selected from (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉,         (CH₂)_(m)NR₈COR₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀ or (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀acyl branched or unbranched,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl,         arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂,aryl or heteroaryl;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain         completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached;         wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O,         S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein         said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH         or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each         alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl         optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂;     -   m is 1-4;     -   n is 1-3;     -   and p is 0-2;     -   wherein one or more of the primary amine or secondary amine         nitrogen atoms in the R₄ substituent group may optionally be         protected by a protecting group.

One embodiment of the compounds of formula(VI) are those wherein:

-   -   R is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; and     -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or         unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is         (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀ or (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉.         Formula (XII)

In their broadest generic aspect, intermediate compounds of formula (XII) are represented by the following formula:

wherein:

-   -   R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl; and     -   R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₁₀alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl,         C₁₋₆acyl, each being optionally substituted with one or more         halogen, OH, oxo, CN, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, NR₈COR₁₀, SR₁₀, CONR₈R₉,         CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl,         aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein each         of C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl,         C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl,         heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one or         more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino,         guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or         more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, amidino or guanidino         groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀;     -   or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, aryl, heteroaryl,         heterocycle, aryl-CO—, heteroaryl-CO— or heterocycle-CO—,         wherein each aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally         substituted with one to three:     -   C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, NO₂, CN, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkyl S(O)_(p),         NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R_(10, (CH) ₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, CO(CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,         heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, aryl-Z—, heteroaryl-Z—,         heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl         or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected from         C₁₋₁₀alkylene branched or unbranched, CO, S(O)_(p), O, S, NH,         CONH, NHCO, COO or OOC, and wherein each cycloalkyl, aryl,         heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂,         C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido or guanidino, wherein one or more of the         amino nitrogens in the ureido or guanidino groups in this         paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each alkyl, alkoxy         and phenyl in this paragraph is optionally partially or fully         halogenated; or R₅ is a C₆₋₁₂ bridged- or spiro-bicyclic ring         system, optionally having one or two double bonds in the ring         system, and wherein up to 3 carbon atoms in the ring system may         be replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and wherein         said ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, amidino,         (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the         amino nitrogens in the ureido, guanidino or amidino groups in         this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   R₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₂₋₆alkenyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, heteroaryl and         heterocyclyl; wherein said C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl,         heteroaryl or heterocyclyl are optionally substituted with OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂,         aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl;     -   R₇ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀acyl branched or unbranched,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl,         arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain         completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached;         wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O,         S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein         said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH         or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each         alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl         optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂;     -   m is 1-4;     -   n is 0-3;     -   and p is 0-2;     -   wherein one or more of the primary amine or secondary amine         nitrogen atoms in any of the R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ substituent         groups may optionally be protected by a protecting group.

One embodiment of the compounds of formula (XII) are those wherein:

-   -   R is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; and     -   R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl or C₂₋₄alkenyl, each being         optionally substituted with one or more OH, CN, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein each phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is         optionally substituted with one or more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino, guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in         the amidino or guanidino groups in this paragraph may be         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀;     -   or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, phenyl, furyl,         thienyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl,         benzofuranyl, benzimidazolyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl,         pyrrolinyl, 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl,         benzoyl, or indolyl-CO—, wherein each phenyl, furyl, thienyl,         oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyridinyl, benzofuranyl,         benzimidazolyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl, pyrrolinyl,         1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl, benzoyl or         indolyl-CO— is optionally substituted with one to three:     -   halogen, NO₂, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkyl S(O)_(p), NR₈R₉,         (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl, phenyl,         heteroaryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, phenyl-Z—,         heteroaryl-Z—, heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with phenyl or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group         selected from C₁₋₃alkylene branched or unbranched, O, S(O)_(p)         or NH, and wherein each cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂, C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉ or guanidino,         wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the guanidino         group in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each         alkyl, alkoxy and phenyl in this paragraph is optionally         partially or fully halogenated;     -   or R₅ is a C₆₋₇ bridged-bicyclic ring system, optionally having         one or two double bonds in the ring system, and wherein up to 1         carbon atom in the ring system may be replaced by a nitrogen         atom; and wherein said ring system may be optionally substituted         with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂         ₄NR₈R₉;

Yet another embodiment of the compounds of formula (XII) are those described immediately above, wherein:

-   -   R₅ is selected from C₂₋₄alkenyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl or         C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, each being optionally substituted with one or         more OH, CN, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉ or phenyl; wherein phenyl is         optionally substituted with one or more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, amidino, guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;         wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the amidino or         guanidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted         with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   or R₅ is selected from phenyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl,         thiazolyl, pyridinyl, benzofuranyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridinyl,         pyrrolinyl, 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl or         indolyl-CO—, wherein each phenyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl,         thiazolyl, pyridinyl, benzofuranyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridinyl,         pyrrolinyl, 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl or         indolyl-CO— is optionally substituted with one to two:     -   halogen, NO₂, SO₂NR₈R₉, NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, ureido,         cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—,         heteroaryl-Z— or heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected         from C₁₋₃alkylene branched or unbranched or S(O)_(p), wherein         each cycloalkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally         substituted with NO₂, C₁₋₃alkyl, CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉ or guanidino,         wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the guanidino         group in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with         C₁₋₃alkyl; and wherein each alkyl and phenyl in this paragraph         is optionally partially or fully halogenated;     -   or R₅ is a 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ring system, optionally         having one or two double bonds in the ring system, wherein said         ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;         Formula (XVIII)

In their broadest generic aspect, intermediate compounds of the formula (XVIII) are represented by the following formula:

wherein:

-   -   Ar₁ is an aromatic or nonaromatic carbocycle, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle         is optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl;     -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from H,         halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched saturated or         unsaturated alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀         branched or unbranched acyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched         acyloxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkylthio, aminosulfonyl,         di-(C₁₋₃)alkylaminosulfonyl, NR₈R₉, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy,         arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy; wherein the         abovementioned R₁ and R₂ are optionally partially or fully         halogenated or optionally substituted with one to three groups         independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, OH,         NR₈R₉, C₁₋₆ branched or unbranched alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl,         phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, aminocarbonyl and mono- or         di(C₁₋₃)alkylaminocarbonyl;     -   R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, OH,         (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy optionally halogenated and         C₁₋₃alkylthio;     -   R₄ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched,         saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with         phenyl, OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, or C₅₋₈cycloalkenyl;         or R₄ is selected from (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈COR₁₀,         (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle, each phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle being         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, OH, SO₃H or halogen;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀acyl branched or unbranched,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl,         arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain         completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached;         wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O,         S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein         said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH         or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally         substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or         NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl optionally substituted with one to         three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉,         (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂;     -   m is 1-4;     -   n is 0-3;     -   and p is 0-2;     -   wherein one or more of the primary amine or secondary amine         nitrogen atoms in any of the R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ substituent         groups may optionally be protected by a protecting group.

One embodiment of the compounds of formula (XVIII) are those wherein:

Ar₁ is

-   -   a) a cycloalkyl group selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,         cyclopentanyl, cyclohexanyl and cycloheptanyl;     -   b) a cycloalkenyl group selected from cyclopentenyl,         cyclohexenyl, and cycloheptenyl;     -   c) an aromatic carbocycle selected from phenyl, naphthyl,         indanyl, indenyl, dihydronaphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl or         fluorenyl,     -   d) a heteroaryl selected from pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl,         pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl, furyl,         isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl,         thiadiazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl,         benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl,         benzpyrazolyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, quinazolinyl,         and indazolyl, or a fused heteroaryl selected from         cyclopentenopyridine, cyclohexanopyridine,         cyclopentanopyrimidine, cyclohexanopyrimidine,         cyclopentanopyrazine, cyclohexanopyrazine,         cyclopentanopyridazine, cyclohexanopyridazine,         cyclopentanoquinoline, cyclohexanoquinoline,         cyclopentanoisoquinoline, cyclohexanoisoquinoline,         cyclopentanoindole, cyclohexanoindole,         cyclopentanobenzimidazole, cyclohexanobenzimidazole,         cyclopentanobenzoxazole, cyclohexanobenzoxazole,         cyclopentanoimidazole, cyclohexanoimidazole,         cyclopentanothiophene and cyclohexanothiophene; or     -   e) a heterocycle selected from: pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl,         pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl,         thiomorpholinyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, piperazinyl and         indolinyl;     -   wherein each of the above Ar₁ are optionally substituted by one         or more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   R₁ and R₂ are as defined in the broadest generic aspect above,         and R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxymethyl or         OH; and     -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or         unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is         (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀ or (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, OH, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, benzoyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl,         benzoyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted         with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a 4-6 member alkylene chain         completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached;         wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by NCO₂R₁₀         or NR₁₁; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by         C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy or NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; and     -   n is 0-3.

Yet another embodiment of the compounds of formula (XVIII) are those described immediately above, wherein:

-   -   Ar₁ is phenyl or pyridyl, each optionally substituted by one or         more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   R is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;     -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and selected from: halogen,         C₁₋₃alkyl, wherein the C₁₋₃alkyl is optionally partially or         fully halogenated, NO₂ or NR₈R₉;     -   R₃ is H, halogen, methyl or methoxy;     -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or         unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is         (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉ or CO₂R₁₀;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀,         phenyl, or benzoyl; wherein said alkyl, phenyl or benzoyl are         optionally substituted with OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a —(CH₂)₂—N(CO₂R₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group or         a —(CH₂)₂—N(R₁₁)—(CH₂)₂— group; and wherein said ring is         optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, or OH;     -   R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy or NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₃alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy or OH;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂.         Formula (XIX)

In their broadest generic aspect, intermediate compounds of formula (XIX) are represented by the following formula:

wherein:

-   -   Ar₁ is an aromatic or nonaromatic carbocycle, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle         is optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl     -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from H,         halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched saturated or         unsaturated alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀         branched or unbranched acyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched         acyloxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkylthio, aminosulfonyl,         di-(C₁₋₃)alkylaminosulfonyl, NR₈R₉, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy,         arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy; wherein the         abovementioned R₁ and R₂ are optionally partially or fully         halogenated or optionally substituted with one to three groups         independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, OH,         NR₈R₉, C₁₋₆ branched or unbranched alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl,         phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, aminocarbonyl and mono- or         di(C₁₋₃)alkylaminocarbonyl;     -   R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, OH,         (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₃alkyl optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy optionally halogenated and         C₁₋₃alkylthio;     -   R₄ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched,         saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with         phenyl, OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, or C₅₋₈cycloalkenyl;     -   or R₄ is selected from (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈COR₁₀,         (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, phenyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle, each phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle being         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, OH, SO₃H or halogen;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀acyl branched or unbranched,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl,         arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally         substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂,aryl or heteroaryl;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain         completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached;         wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O,         S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein         said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH         or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each         alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl         optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,         halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₄NR₈R₉;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂;     -   m is 1-4;     -   n is 0-3;     -   and p is 0-2;     -   wherein one or more of the primary amine or secondary amine         nitrogen atoms in any of the R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ substituent         groups may optionally be protected by a protecting group.     -   One embodiment of the compounds of formula (XIX) above is         wherein:     -   Ar₁ is     -   a) a cycloalkyl group selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,         cyclopentanyl, cyclohexanyl and cycloheptanyl;     -   b) a cycloalkenyl group selected from cyclopentenyl,         cyclohexenyl, and cycloheptenyl;     -   c) an aromatic carbocycle selected from phenyl, naphthyl,         indanyl, indenyl, dihydronaphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl or         fluorenyl,     -   d) a heteroaryl selected from pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl,         pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl, furyl,         isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl,         thiadiazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl,         benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl,         benzpyrazolyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, quinazolinyl,         and indazolyl, or a fused heteroaryl selected from         cyclopentenopyridine, cyclohexanopyridine,         cyclopentanopyrimidine, cyclohexanopyrimidine,         cyclopentanopyrazine, cyclohexanopyrazine,         cyclopentanopyridazine, cyclohexanopyridazine,         cyclopentanoquinoline, cyclohexanoquinoline,         cyclopentanoisoquinoline, cyclohexanoisoquinoline,         cyclopentanoindole, cyclohexanoindole,         cyclopentanobenzimidazole, cyclohexanobenzimidazole,         cyclopentanobenzoxazole, cyclohexanobenzoxazole,         cyclopentanoimidazole, cyclohexanoimidazole,         cyclopentanothiophene and cyclohexanothiophene; or     -   e) a heterocycle selected from: pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl,         pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl,         thiomorpholinyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, piperazinyl and         indolinyl;     -   wherein each of the above Ar₁ are optionally substituted by one         or more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   R₁ and R₂ are as defined in the broadest generic aspect above,         and R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxymethyl or         OH; and     -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or         unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is         (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀ or (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, OH, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀,         C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, benzoyl, heteroaryl or         heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl,         benzoyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted         with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂,         O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a 4-6 member alkylene chain         completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached;         wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by NCO₂R₁₀         or NR₁₁; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by         C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₂;     -   R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy or NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; and     -   n is 0-3.

Yet another embodiment of the compounds of formula (XIX) are those described immediately above, wherein:

-   -   Ar₁ is phenyl or pyridyl, each optionally substituted by one or         more R₁, R₂ and R₃;     -   R is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;     -   R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and selected from: halogen,         C₁₋₃alkyl, wherein the C₁₋₃alkyl is optionally partially or         fully halogenated, NO₂ or NR₈R₉;     -   R₃ is H, halogen, methyl or methoxy;     -   R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or         unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is         (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉ or CO₂R₁₀;     -   R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently         selected from H, C₁₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀,         phenyl, or benzoyl; wherein said alkyl, phenyl or benzoyl are         optionally substituted with OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy;     -   or R₈ and R₉ together form a —(CH₂)₂—N(CO₂R₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group or         a —(CH₂)₂—N(R₁₁)—(CH₂)₂— group; and wherein said ring is         optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, or OH;     -   R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH,         C₁₋₃alkoxy or NR₁₁R₁₂;     -   R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₃alkyl         optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy or OH;     -   or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said         chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there are provided the following compounds of the formula (I):

-   -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-7-furan-2-yl-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-phenyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   7-(3-Aminophenyl)-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   1-{3-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-phenyl}-3-ethylurea;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-vinyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-thiophen-2-yl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-[2-(3-nitrophenyl)-thiazol-4-yl]-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-7-imidazol-2-yl-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(2-phenyloxazol-5-yl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,         8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-7carboxamide;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(2-methylpropen-1-yl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-pyridin-2-yl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-pyridin-3-yl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-7,9-6H,8H-dione;         2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-propen-2-yl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   7-Cyclopent-1-enyl-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   7-[2-(3-Aminophenyl)-thiazol-4-yl]-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   Ethyl         2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-7-carboxylate;     -   7-Benzofuran-2yl-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(1-methylprop-1-enyl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(2-methyloxazol-5-yl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-7-(1H-indole-3-carbonyl)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(3-piperazin-1-yl-cyclopent-1-enyl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   7-Cyclohex-1-enyl-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(1-methyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridin-3-yl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;         2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-[5-(2-nitrophenyl)-furan-2-yl]-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-7-furan-3-yl-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   7-(5-Bromofuran-2-yl)-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(3-methylfuran-2-yl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   7-Cyclopropyl-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-[3-(4-methylpiperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   4-{3-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-cyclopent-2-enyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic         acid tert-butyl ester;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-7-(3-hydroxycyclopent-1-enyl)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-[3-(piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   3-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-cyclopent-3-enecarbonitrile;     -   7-Amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   3-{2-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-propenyl}-benzonitrile;     -   3-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-cyclopent-3-enecarboxamide;     -   2-{4-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-thiazol-2-yl}-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic         acid benzyl ester;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-[1-methyl-2-(3-nitrophenyl)-vinyl]-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   3-{4-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-thiazol-2-ylmethyl}-piperidine-1-carboxylic         acid benzyl ester;     -   7-[2-(2-Aminocyclohexyl)-thiazol-4-yl]-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(2-piperidin-3-ylmethyl-thiazol-4-yl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(2-methylthiazol-4-yl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(3-oxocyclopent-1-enyl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   3-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-2,5-dihydro-pyrrole-1-carboxylic         acid tert-butyl ester;     -   7-[2-(3-Aminophenyl)-1-methylvinyl]-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;

Acetic acid 2-(4-{3-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-benzenesulfonyl}-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl ester;

-   -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-7-(2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   7-[2-(3-Aminomethylphenyl)-1-methylvinyl]-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   4-{3-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-benzenesulfonyl}-piperazine-1-carboxamidine;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-7-{3-[4-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-phenyl}-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   3-{2-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-propenyl}-benzamidine;     -   7-(7-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dien-2-yl)-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   5-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-3,3a,4,6a-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-2-carboxylic         acid tert-butyl ester;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-7-(1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrol-5-yl)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(2-pyrrolidin-2yl-thiazol-4-yl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;     -   7-[2-(3,5-Diaminophenyl)-1-methylvinyl]-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;         and     -   2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-[4-(piperazine-1-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one;         and     -   the pharmacuetically acceptable derivatives thereof.

Any compounds of this invention containing one or more asymmetric carbon atoms may occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures and individual diastereomers. All such isomeric forms of these compounds are expressly included in the present invention. Each stereogenic carbon may be in the R or S configuration, or a combination of configurations.

Some of the compounds of the invention can exist in more than one tautomeric form. The invention includes all such tautomers.

The compounds of the invention are only those which are contemplated to be ‘chemically stable’ as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, a compound which would have a ‘dangling valency’, or a ‘carbanion’ are not compounds contemplated by the invention.

All terms as used herein in this specification, unless otherwise stated, shall be understood in their ordinary meaning as known in the art. For example, “C₁₋₆alkoxy” is a C₁₋₆alkyl with a terminal oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, pentoxy and hexoxy. All alkyl, alkylene or alkynyl groups shall be understood as being branched or unbranched unless otherwise specified. Other more specific definitions are as follows:

The term “halogen” as used in the present specification shall be understood to mean bromine, chlorine, fluorine or iodine.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a stable 5-8 membered (but preferably, 5 or 6 membered) monocyclic or 8-11 membered bicyclic aromatic heterocycle radical. Each heterocycle consists of carbon atoms and from 1 to 4 heteroatoms chosen from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. The heterocycle may be attached by any atom of the cycle, which results in the creation of a stable structure. Example “heteroaryl” radicals include, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl, furyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzpyrazolyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, quinazolinyl and indazolyl, or a fused heteroaryl such as cyclopentenopyridine, cyclohexanopyridine, cyclopentanopyrimidine, cyclohexanopyrimidine, cyclopentanopyrazine, cyclohexanopyrazine, cyclopentanopyridazine, cyclohexanopyridazine, cyclopentanoquinoline, cyclohexanoquinoline, cyclopentanoisoquinoline, cyclohexanoisoquinoline, cyclopentanoindole, cyclohexanoindole, cyclopentanobenzimidazole, cyclohexanobenzimidazole, cyclopentanobenzoxazole, cyclohexanobenzoxazole, cyclopentanoimidazole, cyclohexanoimidazole, cyclopentanothiophene and cyclohexanothiophene;

The term “heterocycle” refers to a stable 5-8 membered (but preferably, 5 or 6 membered) monocyclic or 8-11 membered bicyclic heterocycle radical which may be either saturated or unsaturated, and is non-aromatic. Each heterocycle consists of carbon atoms and from 1 to 4 heteroatoms chosen from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. The heterocycle may be attached to the main structure by any atom of the cycle, which results in the creation of a stable structure. Example “heterocycle” radicals include pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, piperazinyl, indolinyl, and 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl.

As used herein and throughout this specification, the terms “nitrogen” and “sulfur” and their respective elements symbols include any oxidized form of nitrogen and sulfur and the quaternized form of any basic nitrogen.

The term “aryl” shall be understood to mean a 6-10 membered aromatic carbocycle, “aryl” includes, for example, phenyl and naphthyl; other terms comprising “aryl” will have the same definition for the aryl component, examples of these moieties include: arylalkyl, aryloxy or arylthio.

The term “carbocycle” shall be understood to mean a 3-10 membered aromatic or nonaromatic cyclic carbon chain. Examples of nonaromatic carbocycles include cycloalkyl groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl; cycloalkylidene groups such as cyclopentylidene, cyclohexylidene; and cycloalkenyl groups such as cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl and cycloheptenyl. Examples of aromatic carbocycles include the “aryl” compounds as described hereinabove.

The “C₆₋₁₂ bridged- or spiro-bicyclic ring system, optionally having one or two double bonds in the ring system, and wherein up to 3 carbon atoms in the ring system may be replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, O and S” in the R₅ definition shall be understood to mean any ring system containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms and having at least one bridged-type or spiro-type fusion within the ring system, wherein up to 3 of the aforementioned carbon atoms may optionally be replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from N, O and S. An example is a C₆₋₁₀—, preferably, C₆₋₇— bridged-bicyclic ring system, optionally having one or two double bonds in the system, wherein up to 2, preferably up to 1, carbon atoms in the ring system are replaced by a nitrogen atom. An example of such a ring system is 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2,5-diene. Other examples within the broad definition include norbornenyl, tropanyl, 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-enyl, 7-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-enyl, spiro[4.5]dec-1-enyl, and spiro[4.4]non-1-enyl.

The term “acyl” shall be understood to mean an R—(C═O)— moiety wherein R is an alkyl. Examples of R can be a C₁₋₁₀alkyl, saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched, or R can be “aryl” as defined hereinabove. An example when R is an aryl is the benzoyl group or C₆H₅—CO. “Acyloxy” shall be understood to mean an R—CO₂— group wherein R is as defined in this paragraph.

As indicated above, one or more of the primary amine or secondary amine nitrogen atoms in any of the R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ substituent groups may optionally be protected by a protecting group. Suitable protecting groups for this purpose, for example, are those disclosed in T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, Wiley, New York, 1990. Examples of suitable protecting groups for this purpose include benzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl, acetyl and trifluoroacetyl. The invention includes pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives of compounds of the invention. A “pharmaceutically acceptable derivative” refers to any pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester of a compound of this invention, or any other compound which, upon administration to a patient, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) a compound of this invention, a pharmacologically active metabolite or pharmacologically active residue thereof.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic and organic acids and bases. Examples of suitable acids include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, perchloric, fumaric, maleic, phosphoric, glycolic, lactic, salicylic, succinic, toluene-p-sulfonic, tartaric, acetic, citric, methanesulfonic, formic, benzoic, malonic, naphthalene-2-sulfonic and benzenesulfonic acids. Other acids, such as oxalic acid, while not themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of this invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts. Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal (e.g., sodium), alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium), ammonium and N—(C₁-C₄alkyl)₄ ⁺ salts.

In addition, the compounds of this invention include prodrugs of compounds of the invention. Prodrugs include those compounds that, upon simple chemical transformation, are modified to produce a compound of the invention. Simple chemical transformations include hydrolysis, oxidation and reduction, enzymatically, metabolically or otherwise. Specifically, when a prodrug of this invention is administered to a patient, the prodrug may be transformed into a compound of the invention, thereby imparting the desired pharmacological effect.

General Synthetic Methods

The compounds of the invention may be prepared by the methods described below. In each of the schemes below, the groups R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₉ and Ar₁ are as defined above for general formula I except as noted. Optimum reaction conditions and reaction times may vary depending on the particular reactants used. Unless otherwise specified, solvents, temperatures, pressures and other reaction conditions may be readily selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific procedures are provided in the Synthetic Examples section. Typically, reaction progress may be monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) if desired. Intermediates and products may be purified by chromatography on silica gel and/or recrystallization. Starting materials and reagents are either commercially available or may be prepared by one skilled in the art using methods described in the chemical literature.

Compounds of formula (I) in which Het is the dione shown in formula (Ia) (Scheme 1) may be prepared as illustrated in Scheme 1 and described below (Method A).

6-Chloroanthranilic acid (II) is reacted with sodium cyanate in the presence of a suitable acid, such as acetic acid, followed by a suitable base such as sodium hydroxide. Following an acidic work-up, the quinazolinedione III is isolated. In cases where R₄ is not H, one may react II (R₄═H) with an appropriate aldehyde (RCHO) in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, such as sodium borohydride to provide IIa (R₄═RCH₂).

Intermediate III is then subjected to nitration conditions, for example treatment with nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid to provide IV. Intermediate IV is then treated with excess amine RNH₂ (R═H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl) in a suitable solvent, such as n-butanol, preferably in a sealed vessel with heating at about 50 to 150° C., to provide V.

Reduction of V, for example by treatment with hydrogen preferably at 10-60 psi in the presence of a suitable catalyst such as 10% Pd/c, provides VI. Treatment of VI with the desired isothiocyanate (Ar₁NCS), in a suitable solvent such as DMF provides thiourea (VII). Cyclization of VII may be accomplished by treatment with a suitable coupling reagent, such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or mercury oxide in a suitable solvent such as THF or DMF to provide the desired compound Ia.

Compounds of formula (I) in which Het is substituted with R₅ as shown in formula (Ib) (Scheme 2) may be prepared as illustrated in Scheme 2 and described below (Method B).

In cases where R₅ is H, one may treat 6-chloroanthranilic acid (II) with triazine in a suitable solvent, such as EtOH, in the presence of a suitable base such as piperidine, preferably while heating at about the reflux temperature of the solvent to provide the quinazolinone VIII (R₅═H), to obtain compounds where R₅ is not H, one may react the amide IX with an acid chloride R₅ COCl, in a suitable solvent, such as THF, in the presence of a suitable base, such as triethylamine to provide an intermediate amide which is cyclized to VIII by treatment with a suitable base, for example sodium methoxide in methanol, preferably at reflux temperature. Intermediate VIII may then be converted to Ib by the same general procedure described in Method A for a converting III to Ia.

The preparation of benzimidazole intermediates, which may be used in alternate procedures to prepare compounds of formula (I) is illustrated in Scheme 3 and described below (Method C):

2,6-Dichloro-3-nitrobenzonitrile (XIII) is treated with the desired amine RNH₂ (R═H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl) in a suitable solvent such as THF or EtOAc to provide XIV. This intermediate is then treated with R₄NH₂ in a suitable solvent such as EtOH, preferably in a sealed vessel while heating at about 50-110° C. to provide XV. Reduction to XVI, formation of thiourea XVII and cyclization to benzimidazole XVIII may be carried out as described for the conversion of V to Ia in Method A. Hydrolysis of the nitrile, for example, by treatment with concentrated H₂SO₄ at about 100° C., provides XIX.

Method D (Scheme 4) illustrates how one may prepare compounds of formula (Ib) from intermediate XVIII (R₄═H).

Treatment of XVIII (R₄═H) with an acid halide R₅COX (where X is a halogen) or acid anhydride (R₅CO)₂O or with an acid R₅CO₂H and a coupling reagent such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide, in a suitable solvent, such as THF or DMF, in the presence of a suitable base such as triethylamine or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine provides amide XX.

Hydrolysis of the nitrile, followed by cyclization to Ib may be achieved, for example, by treatment of XX with a suitable base, such as aqueous sodium hydroxide, and an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate in a suitable solvent such as dioxane.

Intermediate XIX (R₄═H) may be used to prepare compounds of formula (Ib) as outlined in Scheme 5 (Method E):

Formation of XXI may be accomplished as described above for conversion of XVIII to XX. Intermediate XXI may then by cyclized by treatment with a suitable base such as sodium methoxide or potassium t-butoxide in a suitable solvent such as MeOH or THF, respectively, at about reflux temperature to provide Ib.

Intermediate XIX may also be used to prepare compounds of formula (Ia) as illustrated in Scheme 6 (Method F).

Treatment of XIX with carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) or a phosgene equivalent in a suitable solvent such as THF provides Ia. Compounds of formula (I) in which Het is partially saturated may be prepared from intermediate XIX, as illustrated in Scheme 7 (Method G).

Treatment of XIX with a ketone (R₆C(O)R₇, where R₆ and R₇ are not H) in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acid such as p-TsOH, in a suitable solvent such as THF provides Ic (R₆ and R₇ are not H). When R₄═H, the use of an aldehyde (R₅CHO) instead of a ketone provides Id. This compound may be oxidized to Ib by treatment with a suitable oxidizing agent such as MnO₂ or dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone.

Compounds of formula (Ib) where R₅═NHR₉, represented by formula (Ib′) below, may be prepared from intermediate XIX (where R₄═H) by Method H as illustrated in Scheme 8.

Reaction of XIX with an isothiocyanate in a suitable solvent such as DMF or THF provides thiourea XXII. Cyclization or XXII may be accomplished by the addition of a suitable condensing agent such as mercury oxide to produce the desired product of formula (Ib′).

Scheme 9 (Method I) illustrates a procedure by which compounds of formula (I) with X═S may be prepared. Intermediate XXV may be prepared from XXIII by reaction with an acid chloride (R₅C(O)Cl) to form an intermediate amide, followed by cyclization by treating with a suitable base such as sodium methoxide. Alternatively, if R₅═H one may react XXIV with triazine in a suitable solvent such as EtOH, in the presence of a suitable base such as piperidine to produce XXV (R₅═H). Reduction of the nitro group to give XXVI and formation of thiourea XXVII may be accomplished by procedures described in the above Methods. Cyclization of XXVII to give I (X═S) may be achieved by treatment with bromine in a suitable solvent such as CHCl₃.

Several of these transformations are also exemplified below.

Methods of Therapeutic Use

The compounds of the invention are useful in inhibiting the activity of src-family kinases and PDGFR kinase. In doing so, the compounds are effective in blocking disease processes mediated by these kinases. For example, by inhibiting p56 lck, the compounds block downstream signaling events following T cell activation by antigen. Activation of antigen-specific T cells is necessary for the induction and progression of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases and transplant rejection (J. H. Hanke et al., Inflamm. Res., 1995, 44, 357). Therefore the compounds of the invention are useful for treating such diseases. These include but are not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, graft versus host disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and asthma.

In view of their inhibitory effect on src-family kinases and PDGFR kinase, the compound of the invention are useful in treating cancer. For example, the compounds of the invention are useful in treating src-dependent tumors, such as in mammary carcinoma, colon carcinoma, melanoma and sarcoma, and are also useful in treating PDGF-dependent tumors, such as ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and glioblastoma. In view of their inhibitory effect on src kinase, the compounds of the invention are also useful in treating conditions involving cerebral ischemia, for example, in reducing brain damage following a stroke.

By inhibiting p60src, compounds of the invention may also be useful in treating osteoporosis, Paget's disease, bone inflammation and joint inflammation. By inhibiting PDGFR kinase, compounds of the invention may also be useful in treating fibrotic diseases, restenosis and atherosclerosis. By inhibiting lyn kinase, the compounds of the invention may also be useful in enhancing or potentiating the effectiveness of radiation therapy.

For therapeutic use, the compounds of the invention may be administered in any conventional dosage form in any conventional manner. Routes of administration include, but are not limited to, intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intrasynovially, by infusion, sublingually, transdermally, orally, rectally, topically or by inhalation. The preferred modes of administration are oral and intravenous. Compositions comprising the compounds of the invention for each of the aforementioned routes of administration will be apparent to the skilled artisan. For example, one embodiment of the invention provides for pharmaceutical compositions including a therapeutically effective amount of the compounds according to the invention. Such pharmaceutical compositions will include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and adjuvants as further described below.

The compounds of this invention may be administered alone or in combination with adjuvants that enhance stability of the inhibitors, facilitate administration of pharmaceutic compositions containing them in certain embodiments, provide increased dissolution or dispersion, increase inhibitory activity, provide adjunct therapy, and the like, including other active ingredients. Advantageously, such combination therapies utilize lower dosages of the conventional therapeutics, thus avoiding possible toxicity and adverse side effects incurred when those agents are used as monotherapies. Compounds of the invention may be physically combined with the conventional therapeutics or other adjuvants into a single pharmaceutical composition. Advantageously, the compounds may then be administered together in a single dosage form. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising such combinations of compounds contain at least about 5%, but more preferably at least about 20%, of a compound of formula (I) (w/w) or a combination thereof. The optimum percentage (w/w) of a compound of formula(I) may vary and is within the purview of those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the compounds may be administered separately (either serially or in parallel). Separate dosing allows for greater flexibility in the dosing regime.

As mentioned above, dosage forms of the compounds of this invention include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and adjuvants known to those of ordinary skill in the art. These carriers and adjuvants include, for example, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, buffer substances, water, salts or electrolytes and cellulose-based substances. Preferred dosage forms include, tablet, capsule, caplet, liquid, solution, suspension, emulsion, lozenges, syrup, reconstitutable powder, granule, suppository and transdermal patch. Methods for preparing such dosage forms are known (see, for example, H. C. Ansel and N. G. Popovish, Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, 5th ed., Lea and Febiger (1990)). Dosage levels and requirements are well-recognized in the art and may be selected by those of ordinary skill in the art from available methods and techniques suitable for a particular patient. In some embodiments, dosage levels range from about 1-1000 mg/dose for a 70 kg patient. Although one dose per day may be sufficient, up to 5 doses per day may be given. For oral doses, up to 2000 mg/day may be required. As the skilled artisan will appreciate, lower or higher doses may be required depending on particular factors. For instance, specific dosage and treatment regimens will depend on factors such as the patient's general health profile, the severity and course of the patient's disorder or disposition thereto, and the judgment of the treating physician.

SYNTHETIC EXAMPLES Example 1

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-7,9(6H,8H)-dione.

To a solution of 6-chloroanthranilic acid (1.72 g, 10 mmol) and NaOH (0.40 g, 10 mmol) in water (15 mL) was added sodium cyanate (0.72 g, 11 mmol), followed by acetic acid (0.66 g, 11 mmol). The solution was stirred for 9 h, and then acidified with conc. HCl. The precipitate was filtered off and washed with water. The wet solid was added to a solution of NaOH (8.0 g, 200 mmol) in water (60 mL) and stirred for 20 h. The precipitate was filtered off and suspended in water (80 mL), then heated to boiling and acidified with 50% H₂SO₄. The cooled mixture was filtered, the solid washed well with water and dried to give 5-chloroquinazolin-2,4-dione (1.42 g, 72%).

A solution of the above quinazolinedione (0.98 g, 5.0 mmol) in conc. H₂SO₄ (5 mL) was cooled to −10° C., and 90% HNO₃ (0.35 g, 5.0 mmol) was added with stirring. Stirring continued for 1 h at −10° C., and 1.5 h at room temperature. The mixture was poured onto ice, filtered, washed with water and dried to give 5-chloro-6-nitroquinazolin-2,4-dione, along with some of the 8-nitro isomer (1.3 g, 94%).

Butanol (10 mL) was saturated with ammonia and placed in a sealed tube with the above compound (1.0 g, 4.1 mmol). The tube was heated to 125° C. for 3 h, then cooled. The solid was collected, washed with water, then ether, and dried to give 5-amino-6-nitroquinazolin-2,4-dione (0.82 g, 89%).

A suspension of the above amine (450 mg, 2.0 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) was hydrogenated over 10% Pd/C (60 mg) at 50 psi for 20 h. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the solvent removed to give 5,6-diaminoquinazolin-2,4-dione (369 mg, 95%) as a dark solid.

A mixture of the above diamine (342 mg, 1.78 mmol) and 2,6-dichlorophenyl-isothiocyanate (400 mg, 1.96 mmol) in DMF was stirred for 17 h. The solvent was removed and the residue triturated with EtOAc to give the thiourea. A portion of the thiourea (200 mg, 0.51 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (2 mL) and a solution of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (125 mg, 0.61 mmol) in THF (4 mL) was added. The mixture was heated to 80° C. under reflux for 7 h, and the solvent removed. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂/THF/TFA (150:50:1) and filtered though a plug of silica. The filtrate was evaporated, the residue triturated twice with THF, and the supernatant pipetted off. The solid was suspended in MeOH, neutralized with NH₄OH, and the product collected by centrifugation to give the title compound, 1 (89 mg). Mp>300° C.

Example 2

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-6-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-7,9(6H,8H)-dione.

Sodium (3.35 g, 146 mmol) was slowly added to stirred MeOH (45 mL). Upon completion of gas evolution, 6-chloroanthranilic acid (5 g, 29 mmol) was added forming a suspension. This mixture was added to a separate flask containing a suspension of paraformaldehyde (1.22 g, 43.5 mmol) in MeOH (35 mL), and the resulting solution was stirred for 5 h at room temperature. Sodium borohydride (1.1 g, 29 mmol) was added and the mixture refluxed for 3 h. The cooled mixture was hydrolyzed with 1 M potassium hydroxide then neutralized to pH 3 using 2 M HCl. The precipitate was filtered to yield 2-chloro-6-methylamino benzoic acid (2.2 g, 41%).

2-Chloro-6-methylamino benzoic acid was converted to 5-amino-1-methyl-6-nitroquinazolin-2,4-dione by the three step procedure described in Example 1.

A suspension of 5-amino-1-methyl-6-nitroquinazolin-2,4-dione (400 mg, 1.64 mmol) in MeOH (70 mL) was hydrogenated over 10% Pd/C (150 mg) in a Parr shaker at 50 psi until uptake ceased. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate concentrated to yield 5,6-diamino-1-methylquinazolin-2,4-dione (350 mg, 99% crude).

A solution of the above diamine (350 mg, 1.69 mmol) and 2,6-dichlorophenylisothiocyanate (381 mg, 1.88 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) was stirred under nitrogen for 72 hr. The solvent was evaporated and the residue triturated with ethyl acetate to yield the thiourea (430 mg, 62%). A portion of the thiourea (300 mg, 0.73 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (3 mL) and a solution of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (166 mg, 0.8 mmol) in THF (6 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 4 h. The solvent was removed, and the residue crystallized twice from MeOH to yield the title compound, 2 (65 mg, 24%). Mp>300° C.

Example 3

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one.

A solution of 6-chloro anthranilic acid (2.12 g, 12.3 mmol) and triazine (1.0 g, 12.3 mmol) in EtOH (40 mL) containing piperidine (3 drops) was heated under reflux with stirring for 8 h. On cooling crystals formed, which were filtered to yield 5-chloroquinazolin-4-one (1.55 g, 70%).

A solution of the above quinazolinone (1.26 g, 7.0 mmol) in conc. H₂SO₄ (7 mL) was cooled to −20° C., and 90% HNO₃ (0.49 g, 7.0 mmol) was added with stirring. Stirring continued for 1 h at −20° C., and 2 h at room temperature. The mixture was poured onto ice, filtered, washed with water and dried to give 5-chloro-6-nitroquinazolin-4-one, along with the 8-nitro isomer in a 4:1 ratio. Three recrystallizations from EtOH gave the product as a 6:1 ratio of isomers (0.85 g).

Butanol (20 mL) was saturated with ammonia and placed in a sealed tube with the above compound (800 mg, 3.6 mmol). The tube was heated to 125° C. for 14 h, then cooled. The solid was collected, washed with EtOH and water, and dried to give 5-amino-6-nitroquinazolin-4-one (569 mg, 78%).

A suspension of the above amine (250 mg, 1.21 mmol) in MeOH (50 mL) was hydrogenated over 10% Pd/C (50 mg) at 50 psi for 5 h. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate concentrated to yield 5,6-diaminoquinazolin-4-one (210 mg, 98% crude).

A solution of the above diamine (205 mg, 1.19 mmol) and 2,6-dichlorophenylisothiocyanate (272 mg, 1.3 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) was stirred under nitrogen for 18 h. The solvent was evaporated and the residue triturated with ethyl acetate to yield the thiourea (350 mg, 77%). The thiourea was dissolved in DMF (4 mL) and a solution of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (228 mg, 1.1 mmol) in THF (8 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 8 h and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 98:2-90:10. Pure fractions were combined, evaporated, and the residue recrystallized from MeOH to give the title compound, 3 (87 mg). mp 230-235° C.

Example 4

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one.

5-Chloro-6-nitroquinazolin-4-one, from Example 3 (0.26 g, 1.15 mmol) was suspended in MeOH (3 mL) at −20° C. Methylamine gas was passed into the mixture for a few minutes, resulting in a clear solution. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 5 h and evaporated to give 5-methylamino-6-nitroquinazolin-4-one in quantitative yield.

The above amine (350 mg, 1.6 mmol) was hydrogenated over platinum oxide (30 mg) in MeOH (200 mL) at 60 psi for 4 h. The mixture was filtered through diatomaceous earth and the solvent evaporated, to give 6-amino-5-methylaminoquinazolin-4-one, which was immediately suspended in EtOAc (20 mL) and THF (10 mL). A solution of 2,6-dichlorophenylisothiocyanate (340 mg, 1.67 mmol) in EtOAc (5 mL) was added, and the mixture stirred for 16 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated to half the volume, filtered, and the solid washed with EtOAc to yield the thiourea (400 mg, 64% over 2 steps.)

A solution of the above thiourea (295 mg, 0.75 mmol) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (160 mg, 0.78 mmol) in THF (12 mL) and DMF (10 mL) was heated to 70° C. with stirring for 48 h. The mixture was poured into ice water (50 mL) and filtered. The filtrate was extracted with EtOAc and evaporated. The residue was combined with the filtered solid, triturated with chloroform, and the supernatant decanted. The solid was dissolved in boiling MeOH (100 mL), filtered hot, concentrated to 60 mL, and water (10 mL) added slowly. The crystals were collected to give the title compound, 4 (110 mg, 41%). Mp>300° C.

Example 5

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-ethyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one.

This compound was synthesized in by the method of Example 4. Mp>300° C.

Examples 6 and 7

Example 6

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1,7-dimethyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one.

A solution of 2,6-dichloro-3-nitrobenzonitrile (98.7 g, 0.455 mol) in EtOAc (910 mL) was cooled to 5° C. 40% Aqueous methylamine (79.5 mL, 1.14 mol) was added with vigorous mechanical stirring, keeping the temperature at 10-15° C. After addition was complete, stirring was continued for 3 h at the same temperature. More methylamine (16 mL, 0.23 mol) was added, and the mixture stirred for a further 1.5 h at room temperature. Water (300 mL) was added, followed by hexane (450 mL). The mixture was stirred for 15 min, filtered, and the solid washed with water and MeOH, to give 6-chloro-2-methylamino-3-nitrobenzonitrile (80.3 g, 83%), mp 167-170° C.

A suspension of the above amine (30.0 g, 142 mmol) in a 5.3 M solution of ammonia in ethanol (200 mL) was heated in a sealed stainless steel reaction vessel (600 mL capacity) at 90° C. for 24 h. The reaction vessel was cooled to room temperature, then to 0° C., and opened. The product was filtered, washed with ethanol (30 mL) and dried to give 6-amino-2-methylamino-3-nitro-benzonitrile (25.94 g, 95%) as a yellow solid.

A solution of the above diamine (5.0 g, 26 mmol) in THF (150 mL) was hydrogenated over 10% Pd/C (1.0 g) at 50 psi for 4 h. The reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of diatomaceous earth and rinsed with THF (50 mL). The filtrate was not concentrated but used crude as a THF solution.

To the above triamine solution was added 2,6-dichlorophenylisothiocyanate (5.3 g, 26 mmol) and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 0.5 hr. TLC indicated complete formation of the thiourea intermediate. Mercury (II) oxide (6.2 g, 29 mmol) was then added, and the mixture was heated to reflux for 2 h. TLC showed conversion to the benzimidazole. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, activated carbon (about 1 g) was added, and stirred at 50° C. for 2 h. The mixture was filtered through a pad of diatomaceous earth and rinsed with EtOAc until the filtrate was colorless. The combined filtrates were concentrated to obtain a pink solid, which was triturated with EtOAc/hexane (1:4). The light grey color solid was filtered and dried to give 5-amino-3-methyl-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3H-benzimidazole-4-carbonitrile (7.42 g). The mother liquor was concentrated and triturated again to provide a second crop (0.15 g), combined yield 87%,

MS (EI⁺): MH⁺=331.

To the above amino nitrile (60 mg, 0.18 mmol) in THF (1 mL) was added acetic anhydride (74 mg, 0.72 mmol) and DMAP (1 crystal), and the solution stirred for 22 h. MeOH (0.5 mL) was added, and stirring continued for 1 h. The solution was partitioned between EtOAc and dilute NH₄OH, and the residue from the organic layer purified by flash chromatography, eluting with CH₂Cl₂/THF 95:5, to give recovered amino nitrile (18 mg) and 5-acetamido-3-methyl-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3H-benzimidazole-4-carbonitrile (47 mg).

A suspension of the above acetamide (30 mg, 0.08 mmol) in dioxan (1 mL) and 0.2M NaOH (1 mL) was heated to 110° C. Urea-hydrogen peroxide complex (15 mg, 0.16 mmol) was added with stirring. Further 30 mg portions of urea-hydrogen peroxide were added at 2.5 h, 3.5 h and 21 h. After heating for 25 h, the mixture was cooled and partitioned between THF and water. The residue from the organic layer was purified on a flash column, eluting with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 98:2, to give the title compound, 6 (7 mg, 23%), mp 305-310° C.(dec), MS (ES) 374,376 (MH+).

Example 7

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-phenyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one.

A mixture of 5-amino-3-methyl-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3H-benzimidazole-4-carbonitrile (Example 6) (1 g, 3 mmol) and conc. H₂SO₄ (8 mL) was warmed to 100-110° C. for 1 h and monitored by TLC for the disappearance of starting material. The mixture was cooled and poured onto a mixture of crushed ice, sodium carbonate, and ether. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water, dissolved in MeOH-methylene chloride, treated with carbon (decolorizing charcoal), dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The aqueous filtrate was washed with EtOAc (3×30 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (25 mL), which was then extracted with EtOAc (20 mL). The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated to yield 190 mg of a crude product. This was combined with the solid product and triturated with ether-methylene chloride to afford 5-amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid amide (700 mg, 66%). The filtrate was chromatographed on silica gel to afford an additional 128 mg (12%) of product.

The above amino amide (50 mg, 0.15 mmol) was added to a solution of benzoyl chloride (32 mg, 0.23 mmol) in THF (1 mL). Triethylamine (0.03 mL, 0.23 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred for 1 h. TLC showed conversion to the benzamide. The solvent was evaporated and the residue dissolved in MeOH (1 mL). Sodium methoxide in MeOH (25%, 0.2 mL) was added and the solution heated to reflux for 45 min. The cooled mixture was partitioned between 1M NH₄C₁ and CH₂Cl₂. The residue from the organic layer was stirred and refluxed with MeOH (2 mL) for 1 h, cooled, filtered and washed with MeOH to yield the title compound, 7 (52 mg, 79%) Mp>300° C. MS (ES+) 436, 438 (MH+).

Example 8

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-furan-3-yl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one.

Furan-3-carboxylic acid (20 mg, 0.18 mmol), hydroxybenzotriazole (24 mg, 0.18 mmol) and 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (35 mg, 0.18 mmol) were stirred together in DMF (1 mL) for 15 min. 5-Amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-4-carboxylic acid amide (Example 7)(50 mg, 0.15 mmol) was added, and stirring continued for 24 h. The solution was diluted with EtOAc and washed in turn with aqueous Na₂CO₃, water and brine. The organic layer was evaporated and the residue dissolved in MeOH (2 mL). Sodium methoxide in MeOH (25%, 0.1 mL) was added and the solution heated to reflux for 45 min. The cooled solution was partitioned between water and CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was evaporated and the crude product stirred with MeOH (1 mL) for 1 h. The solid was filtered, washed with a few drops of MeOH and dried to yield the title compound, 8 (14 mg, 22%). mp>300° C. MS (ES) 428, 426 (MH+).

Example 9

Synthesis of 7-allylamino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one.

A mixture of 100 mg (0.286 mmol) of 5-amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-3H-benzimidazole-4-carboxylic acid amide (Example 7) and 114 mg (1.15 mmol) of allyl isothiocyanate in DMF was warmed at 45° C. for 48 h. The reaction was diluted with 30 mL of brine and extracted with four 15 mL portions of EtOAc. The combined organic layers were washed with five 15 mL portions of brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was adsorbed onto silica gel and chromatographed on silica gel (MeOH-methylene chloride, first 2:98, then 4:96, then 5:95) to afford 66 mg (51%) of 2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-5-(3-allyl-thioureido)-3H-benzimidazole-4-carboxylic acid amide.

A mixture of 66 mg (0.15 mmol) of the above amide and 300 mg (1.38 mmol) of mercury (II) oxide in THF was warmed at reflux for 18 h. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and filtered through diatomaceous earth. The filtrate was adsorbed onto silica gel and chromatographed over silica gel (methylene chloride, then MeOH-methylene chloride, first 1:99, then 2:98, then 3:97) to afford an off white solid which was triturated with methylene chloride-MeOH to afford 17 mg (27%) of the title compound 9, mp 255-260° C.

Example 10

Synthesis of N-[2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-9-oxo-1,8,-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-7-yl]-benzamide.

To a solution of 128 mg (0.36 mmol) of 5-amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-3-H-benzimidazole-4-carbolic acid amide (Example 7) in 10 mL of THF was added 72 mg (0.45 mmol) of benzoyl isothiocyanate. The reaction was warmed at reflux and after 5 min, thin-layer chromatography indicated a new product. 95 mg (0.44 mmol) of mercury (II) oxide was added and refluxing continued for 24 h. The reaction was cooled and filtered through diatomaceous earth washing the filter cake with EtOAc. The crude residue was adsorbed onto silica gel and chromatographed over silica gel (MeOH-methylene chloride, first 1:99, then 2:98, then 3:97). The material from the column was triturated with ether-dichloromethane to afford 64 mg (36%) of the title compound 10, mp, 185-190° C.

Example 11

Synthesis of 7-amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-9-one.

A mixture of 130 mg (0.27 mmol) 10 and 500 mg (3.62 mmol) of potassium carbonate in MeOH was stirred for 18 h. The mixture was then diluted with brine and extracted with EtOAc to afford 12 mg of product. Additional material was obtained as an insoluble solid from the extraction layers. The combined materials were dissolved in 1N aqueous HCl, diluted with THF, made basic with solid/saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted with EtOAc to afford 40 mg (40%) of product. Trituration with ether gave 30 mg (30%) of title compound 11, mp>305° C.

Example 12

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(1-methyl-2-phenyl-vinyl)-1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-9-one.

A mixture of 110 mg (0.315 mmol) of 5-amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-3H-benzimidazole-4-carboxylic acid amide, 184 mg (1.26 mmol) of α-methyl-trans-cinnamaldehyde and 60 mg (0.31 mmol) of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 10 mL of THF were stirred at RT for 18 h. The reaction was made basic with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The crude residue was chromatographed on silica gel to afford 102 mg (68%) of title compound 12.

Example 13

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-7-(1-methyl-2-phenyl-vinyl)-1,8-dihydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-9-one.

A mixture of 102 mg (0.213 mmol) 12 and 300 mg (3.45 mmol) of manganese dioxide was stirred in 15 mL of THF for 45 min. The reaction was filtered through diatomaceous earth and evaporated in vacuo. The crude residue was evaporated onto silica gel and chromatographed over silica gel (methylene chloride, then MeOH-methylene chloride first 1:99 then 2:98). The material from the column was triturated with MeOH-methylene chloride to afford 70 mg (69%) of title compound 13, mp>305° C.

Example 14

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-7,9(6H,8H)-dione.

To a solution of 80 mg (0.229 mmol) of 5-amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-3-H-benzimidazole-4-carbolic acid amide (Example 7) in 8 mL of THF cooled to 0° C. added 67 mg (0.23 mmol) of triphosgene. After stirring 30 min, the reaction was diluted with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water, and the THF was evaporated in vacuo. The resulting suspension was filtered and the solid dried by pulling vacuum through the filter cake. The crude product was absorbed onto silica gel and chromatographed over silica gel (MeOH-methylene chloride first 1:99 then 2:98 then 3:97 then 4:96) to afford a solid which was triturated with methylene chloride to afford 20 mg (23%) of the title compound 14, mp>300° C.

Example 15

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1,7-dimethyl-1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-9-one.

A mixture of 30 mg (0.086 mmol) of 5-amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-3H-benzimidazole-4-carboxylic acid amide (Example 7) and 1 mL (18 mmol) of acetaldehyde was stirred under an argon atmosphere while chilled in an ice-water bath for 0.5 h, then warmed to room temperature. p-Toluenesulfonic acid was added, (catalytic) and after stirring for 1 h, 2 mL of MeOH was added. After 2 h the reaction was poured into a mixture of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and EtOAc. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc, the combined organic layers were extracted with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried (MgSO₄), treated with activated carbon, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel, followed by elution on a TLC plate to yield 11 mg (34%) of title compound 15, mp 200-203° C.

Example 16

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1,7,7-trimethyl-1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-9H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazolin-9-one.

A mixture of 38 mg (0.11 mmol) of 5-amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-3-H-benzimidazole-4-carbolic acid amide (Example 7) in 3 mg (0.02 mmol) p-toluenesulfonic acid, and 2 mL (27 mmol) of acetone was stirred at room temperature for 1 h, then heated to reflux for 1.5 h. The reaction was cooled and poured into a mixture of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and EtOAc. The aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc, the combined organics were extracted with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried (MgSO₄), treated with activated carbon, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 26 mg of an orange solid. The crude product was chromatographed over silica gel to afford 20 mg (47%) of title compound 17, mp 238-239° C.

Example 17

Synthesis of 2-(2,6-Dichlorophenylamino)-1,7-dimethyl-9-oxo-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid ethyl ester.

A mixture of 100 mg (0.29 mmol) of 5-amino-2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-3-methyl-3-H -benzimidazole-4-carbolic acid amide (Example 7), 322 mg (2.9 mmol) of ethyl pyruvate, and a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 2 mL of dichloromethane was heated in a sealed tube to 85° C. for 2 h, then 0.5 mL EtOH was added, and heating continued for 15 min. The reaction was cooled and stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo, and the residue was suspended in dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide, filtered, washed with water and dried by pulling vacuum through the filter cake. The crude product was purified on a TLC plate, and recrystallized from EtOAc to afford 17.6 mg (13.5%) of title compound 17, mp 245-247° C.

Additional Examples

The following additional compounds (Ex. Nos. 18 to 104) in the following Table were prepared by methods analogous to those described above.

Ex. No. Structure M. P.(° C.) 18

>300 19

200 (dec) 20

251 (dec) 21

278-284 (dec) 22

>300 23

  280 24

>300 25

>300 26

>290 27

>300 28

>300 29

>300 30

>300 31

185-192 32

>300 33

>300 34

>250 (dec) 35

295 (dec) 36

240 (dec) 37

275-277 38

>300 39

>300 40

258 (dec) 41

265-268 42

>300 43

>300 44

45

278 (dec) 46

>300 47

>300 48

173-174 49

279 (dec) 50

283-284 51

52

295 (dec) 53

>300 54

  255 55

289-292 56

>300 57

280-283 58

304-310 (dec) 59

>300 60

280 (dec) 61

215 (dec) 62

198-204 63

>300 64

257-260 65

168-170 66

  285 67

  189 68

  210 69

>295 (dec) 70

288-290 71

290-292 72

>215 (dec) 73

  209 74

254-256 75

163-169 76

155-160 77

295-300 (dec) 78

161-166 79

295 (dec) 80

310-313 81

>300 82

>275 (dec) 83

206-208 84

>300 (dec) 85

246 (dec) 86

240-241 (dec) 87

126-128 88

228-230 89

197-205 90

  215 91

>300 92

>300 93

>300 94

210-215 95

265 (dec) 96

  190 97

315-317 (dec) 98

290 (dec) 99

195-200 (dec) 100

  246 101

170 (dec) 102

284-288 103

>300 104

Assessment of Biological Properties

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition Assay

The inhibition of tyrosine kinases by the compounds of the invention was measured with the following assay.

Kinase Reaction Buffer 50 mM Hepes, pH 7.5, 50 mM KCl, 25 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM MnCl₂, 100 μM, Na₃VO₄, 0.01% CHAPS, 1 mM DTT, and 50 mg/mL BSA, Adenosine 5′-Triphosphate (ATP) solution at 100 mM, pH 7.5-γ33P-ATP, 2000 Ci/mmol at 10 μCi/μl,-Poly(L-glutamic acid-L-tyrosine, 4:1) or (E4Y)_(n) at 10 mg/mL in water.

Assay: Test compounds, obtained routinely at 5 mg/mL in 100% DMSO were diluted appropriately into complete Kinase assay buffer with 10% DMSO, 10 μl of the 6× compound solution was distributed into each assay well, the final compound concentration for IC₅₀ determinations ranged from 200 to 1 μg/mL. [γ33P]-ATP label was prepared as a 10 Ci/mmol working solution in complete Kinase assay buffer. Protein kinase was initiated by adding 10 to 50 ηg of diluted enzyme stock.

Plates were incubated at 30° C. for 30 min. During the incubation period, the MultiScreen harvest plates were pre-wetted with 10% TCA/5% Ppi. 150 μl of TCA/PPi was added to all MultiScreen plate wells after pre-wetting. The kinase reaction was stopped via replica transfer of the polypropylene reaction wells into the MultiScreen plates. The plates were incubated at room temperature for 5 min then vacuum harvested and washed with 200 μL TCA/PPi 3-4 times per well, then 100 μl of cocktail per well was added.

Experimental data consisted of eight (8) compound doses in duplicate with ten (10) enzyme control reaction wells (so-called totals) and six (6) background wells. The results are presented as Percent Inhibition (Mean with S. D.) over the full compound dose range. IC₅₀ potency estimates are determined using a floating inhibition maximum (Imax).

All compounds in the synthetic examples and Tables above were evaluated in the tyrosine kinase assay above using p56 lck and were found to have IC₅₀'s less than 10 μM.

Representative compounds from the examples above were evaluated in the tyrosine kinase assay above using p60 src and were found to have IC₅₀'s less than 10 μM.

Representative compounds from the examples above were evaluated in the tyrosine kinase assay above using PDGFR kinase and were found to have IC₅₀'s less than 10 μM.

Inhibition of IL-2 Production

Inactivation of T cells resulting from inhibition of the tyrosine kinase p56 lck can be measured by inhibition of IL-2 production in Jurkat cells. 96-well flat bottom plates were coated with anti-CD3, clone UCHT1, (Immunotech cat. # 1304) at 4 μg/ml in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS), 100 μl/well. The solution was prepared by taking 200 μl of 200 μg/ml anti-CD3 stock/10 ml PBS. The plate was then incubated at 37° C. for 2 h. Jurkat cells were pelleted and counted. The cells were resuspended at 2.5×10⁶ cells/ml in RPMI, 10% FBS (complete media). Test compounds were diluted from a 5 mg/ml DMSO stock directly into complete media.

10 μl of 20× compound/well was added to a separate plate, followed by 100 μl of cell suspension in triplicate and this plate was preincubated at 37° C. for 30 min. The 96-well plate containing anti-CD3 was aspirated, and the cells and compound transferred to this plate. 100 μl of PMA (Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate, Sigma cat.# P-8139) at 20 ng/ml was added, and the plate was incubated overnight at 37° C. (PMA stock at 1 mg/ml in ethanol, dilute 10 μl/ml in complete media, then 20 μl/10 mls. in complete media. 100 μl/well=10 ng/ml. final concentration). The next day, the plate was centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5 min. at room temperature and the supernatants were removed. The supernatants were tested using R&D Systems Quantikine Human IL-2 Kit (cat.#2050). Samples were diluted 1:5 in RPMI1640, and 100 μl/well used in the ELISA. The optical density of each well was determined using a microplate reader set to 450 nm. EC₅₀ values were determined using Origin (non-linear regression) or SAS by plotting absorbance vs. concentration of compound.

Representatives from the synthetic examples and the Tables above were screened in this assay and had IC₅₀'s below 10 μM. 

1. A method of making a compound of the formula Ib below:

wherein R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl, Ar₁ is an aromatic or nonaromatic carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃; R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from H, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched saturated or unsaturated alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyloxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkylthio, aminosulfonyl, di-(C₁₋₃)alkylaminosulfonyl, NR₈R₉, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy; wherein the abovementioned R₁ and R₂ are optionally partially or fully halogenated or optionally substituted with one to three groups independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, OH, NR₈R₉, C₁₋₆ branched or unbranched alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, aminocarbonyl and mono- or di(C₁₋₃)alkylaminocarbonyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, OH, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy optionally halogenated and C₁₋₃alkylthio; R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₁₀alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₆acyl, each being optionally substituted with one or more halogen, OH, oxo, CN, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, NR₈COR₁₀, SR₁₀, CONR₈R₉, CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein each of C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one or more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino, guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, amidino or guanidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀; or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, aryl-CO—, heteroaryl-CO— or heterocycle-CO—, wherein each aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one to three: C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, NO₂, CN, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkylS(O)_(p), NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, CO(CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, aryl-Z—, heteroaryl-Z—, heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected from C₁₋₁₀alkylene branched or unbranched, CO, S(O)_(p), O, S, NH, CONH, NHCO, COO or OOC, and wherein each cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido or guanidino, wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido or guanidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each alkyl, alkoxy and phenyl in this paragraph is optionally partially or fully halogenated; or R₅ is a C₆₋₁₂ bridged- or spiro-bicyclic ring system, optionally having one or two double bonds in the ring system, and wherein up to 3 carbon atoms in the ring system may be replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and wherein said ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, amidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, guanidino or amidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀acyl branched or unbranched, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl; or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached; wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O, S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl; or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; m is 1-4; n is 0-3; and p is 0-2; said method comprising: (a) reacting the compound of formula XIX (wherein R₄ is H) with an acid halide of the formula R₅COX, wherein X is a halogen, or with an acid anhydride of the formula (R₅CO)₂O, or with an acid of the formula R₅CO₂H and a coupling reagent, in a suitable solvent in the presence of a suitable base to form a compound of formula XXI:

; and (b) cyclizing the compound of formula XXI by treatment with a suitable base in a suitable solvent at about reflux temperature to form a compound of formula Ib:


2. A method of making a compound of the formula Ib below:

wherein R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl, Ar₁ is an aromatic or nonaromatic carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃; R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from H, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched saturated or unsaturated alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyloxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkylthio, aminosulfonyl, di-(C₁₋₃)alkylaminosulfonyl, NR₈R₉, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy; wherein the abovementioned R₁ and R₂ are optionally partially or fully halogenated or optionally substituted with one to three groups independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, OH, NR₈R₉, C₁₋₆ branched or unbranched alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, aminocarbonyl and mono- or di(C₁₋₃)alkylaminocarbonyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, OH, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy optionally halogenated and C₁₋₃alkylthio; and R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₁₀alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₆acyl, each being optionally substituted with one or more halogen, OH, oxo, CN, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, NR₈COR₁₀, SR₁₀, CONR₈R₉, CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein each of C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one or more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino, guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, amidino or guanidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀; or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, aryl-CO—, heteroaryl-CO— or heterocycle-CO—, wherein each aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one to three: C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, NO₂, CN, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkyl S(O)_(p), NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, CO(CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, aryl-Z—, heteroaryl-Z—, heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected from C₁₋₁₀alkylene branched or unbranched, CO, S(O)_(p), O, S, NH, CONH, NHCO, COO or OOC, and wherein each cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido or guanidino, wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido or guanidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each alkyl, alkoxy and phenyl in this paragraph is optionally partially or fully halogenated; or R₅ is a C₆₋₁₂ bridged- or spiro-bicyclic ring system, optionally having one or two double bonds in the ring system, and wherein up to 3 carbon atoms in the ring system may be replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and wherein said ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, amidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, guanidino or amidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀acyl branched or unbranched, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl; or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached; wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O, S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl; or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; m is 1-4; n is 0-3; and p is 0-2; said method comprising: (a) reacting the compound of formula XIX (wherein R₄ is H) with an aldehyde of the formula R₅CHO in the presence of an acid in a suitable solvent to form a compound of formula Id:

(b) oxidizing the compound of formula Id with a suitable oxidizing agent to form the compound of formula Ib:


3. A method of making a compound of the formula Ib below:

wherein R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl, Ar₁ is an aromatic or nonaromatic carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃; R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from H, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched saturated or unsaturated alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyloxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkylthio, aminosulfonyl, di-(C₁₋₃)alkylaminosulfonyl, NR₈R₉, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy; wherein the abovementioned R₁ and R₂ are optionally partially or fully halogenated or optionally substituted with one to three groups independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, OH, NR₈R₉, C₁₋₆ branched or unbranched alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, aminocarbonyl and mono- or di(C₁₋₃)alkylaminocarbonyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, OH, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy optionally halogenated and C₁₋₃alkylthio; and R₅ is selected from H, C₁₋₁₀alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₆acyl, each being optionally substituted with one or more halogen, OH, oxo, CN, C₁₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, NR₈COR₁₀, SR₁₀, CONR₈R₉, CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein each of C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkylidene, C₅₋₇cycloalkenyl, aryloxy, arylthio, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one or more C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CN, NO₂, amidino, guanidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, amidino or guanidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy or CO₂R₁₀; or R₅ is selected from CO₂R₁₀, NR₈R₉, CONR₈R₉, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, aryl-CO—, heteroaryl-CO— or heterocycle-CO—, wherein each aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with one to three: C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, NO₂, CN, S(O)_(p)NR₈R₉, C₀₋₃alkyl S(O)_(p), NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, CO(CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido, guanidino, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl-Z—, aryl-Z—, heteroaryl-Z—, heterocycle-Z—, or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl or NR₈R₉, wherein Z is a bridging group selected from C₁₋₁₀alkylene branched or unbranched, CO, S(O)_(p), O, S, NH, CONH, NHCO, COO or OOC, and wherein each cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted with NO₂, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉, ureido or guanidino, wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido or guanidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; and wherein each alkyl, alkoxy and phenyl in this paragraph is optionally partially or fully halogenated; or R₅ is a C₆₋₁₂ bridged- or spiro-bicyclic ring system, optionally having one or two double bonds in the ring system, and wherein up to 3 carbon atoms in the ring system may be replaced by heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and wherein said ring system may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, CO₂R₁₀, ureido, guanidino, amidino, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; wherein one or more of the amino nitrogens in the ureido, guanidino or amidino groups in this paragraph may be optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, phenylC₀₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃alkoxy; R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀acyl branched or unbranched, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl; or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached; wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O, S(O)_(p), NCOR₁,O NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl; or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; m is 1-4; n is 0-3; and p is 0-2; said method comprising: (a) reacting the compound of formula XVIII (wherein R₄ is H) with an acid halide of the formula R₅COX, wherein X is a halogen, or with an acid anhydride of the formula (R₅CO)₂O, or with an acid of the formula R₅CO₂H and a coupling reagent, in a suitable solvent in the presence of a suitable base to form a compound of formula XX:

(b) hydrolyzing and cyclizing the compound of formula XX by treatment with a suitable base and a suitable oxidant in a suitable solvent to form the compound of formula Ib:


4. A compound of the following formula XVIII:

wherein: Ar₁ is an aromatic or nonaromatic carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃; R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from H, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched saturated or unsaturated alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyloxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkylthio, aminosulfonyl, di-(C₁₋₃)alkylaminosulfonyl, NR₈R₉, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy; wherein the abovementioned R₁ and R₂ are optionally partially or fully halogenated or optionally substituted with one to three groups independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, OH, NR₈R₉, C₁₋₆ branched or unbranched alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, aminocarbonyl and mono- or di(C₁₋₃)alkylaminocarbonyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, OH, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy optionally halogenated and C₁₋₃alkylthio; R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl; and R₄ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with phenyl, OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, or C₅₋₈cycloalkenyl; or R₄ is selected from (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈COR₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle, each phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle being optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, OH, SO₃H or halogen; R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀acyl branched or unbranched, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl; or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached; wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O, S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl; or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; m is 1-4; and n is 0-3.
 5. A compound according to claim 4, wherein: Ar₁ is a) a cycloalkyl group selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentanyl, cyclohexanyl and cycloheptanyl; b) a cycloalkenyl group selected from cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, and cycloheptenyl; c) an aromatic carbocycle selected from phenyl, naphthyl, indanyl, indenyl, dihydronaphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl or fluorenyl, d) a heteroaryl selected from pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl, furyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzpyrazolyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, quinazolinyl, and indazolyl, or a fused heteroaryl selected from cyclopentenopyridine, cyclohexanopyridine, cyclopentanopyrimidine, cyclohexanopyrimidine, cyclopentanopyrazine, cyclohexanopyrazine, cyclopentanopyridazine, cyclohexanopyridazine, cyclopentanoquinoline, cyclohexanoquinoline, cyclopentanoisoquinoline, cyclohexanoisoquinoline, cyclopentanoindole, cyclohexanoindole, cyclopentanobenzimidazole, cyclohexanobenzimidazole, cyclopentanobenzoxazole, cyclohexanobenzoxazole, cyclopentanoimidazole, cyclohexanoimidazole, cyclopentanothiophene and cyclohexanothiophene; or e) a heterocycle selected from: pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, piperazinyl and indolinyl; wherein each of the above Ar₁ are optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃; R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 4, and R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxymethyl or OH; and R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R4 is (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀ or (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉; R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently selected from H, OH, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, benzoyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, benzoyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl; or R₈ and R₉ together form a 4-6 member alkylene chain completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached; wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by NCO₂R₁₀ or NR₁₁; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy or NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl; or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; and n is 0-3.
 6. A compound according to claim 5, wherein: Ar₁ is phenyl or pyridyl, each optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃; R is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and selected from: halogen, C₁₋₃alkyl, wherein the C₁₋₃alkyl is optionally partially or fully halogenated, NO₂ or NR₈R₉; R₃ is H, halogen, methyl or methoxy; R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉ or CO₂R₁₀; R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently selected from H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀, phenyl, or benzoyl; wherein said alkyl, phenyl or benzoyl are optionally substituted with OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy; or R₈ and R₉ together form a —(CH₂)₂—N(CO₂R₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group or a —(CH₂)₂—N(R₁₁)—(CH₂)₂— group; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, or OH; R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy or NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₁, and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy or OH; or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂.
 7. A compound of the following formula XIX:

wherein: Ar₁ is Ar₁ is an aromatic or nonaromatic carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said carbocycle, heteroaryl or heterocycle is optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃; R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from H, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched saturated or unsaturated alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyl, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched acyloxy, C₁₋₁₀ branched or unbranched alkylthio, aminosulfonyl, di-(C₁₋₃)alkylaminosulfonyl, NR₈R₉, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl and heteroaryloxy; wherein the abovementioned R₁ and R₂ are optionally partially or fully halogenated or optionally substituted with one to three groups independently selected from the group consisting of oxo, OH, NR₈R₉, C₁₋₆ branched or unbranched alkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, aminocarbonyl and mono- or di(C₁₋₃)alkylaminocarbonyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, OH, (CH₂)_(n)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy optionally halogenated and C₁₋₃alkylthio; R is H, C₁₋₃alkyl or cyclopropyl; and R₄ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with phenyl, OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, or C₅₋₈cycloalkenyl; or R₄ is selected from (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈COR₁₀, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀, (CH₂)₂CONR₈R₉, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle, each phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle being optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, OH, SO₃H or halogen; R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently selected from H, OH, CO₂R₁₀, C₁₋₁₀acyl branched or unbranched, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkyl branched or unbranched, C₃₋₆alkenyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₃alkyl, aroyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl; or R₈ and R₉ together form a 3-7 member alkylene chain completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached; wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by O, S(O)_(p), NCOR₁₀, NCO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁ or NC(═NR₁₁)NR₁₁R₁₂; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₀ is selected from H, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, wherein each alkyl or cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃alkanoloxy or NR₁₁R₁₂, or R₁₀ is phenyl optionally substituted with one to three C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, halogen, (CH₂)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉ or O(CH₂)₂₋₄NR₈R₉; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl; or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; m is 1-4; and n is 0-3.
 8. A compound according to claim 7, wherein: Ar₁ is a) a cycloalkyl group selected from cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentanyl, cyclohexanyl and cycloheptanyl; b) a cycloalkenyl group selected from cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, and cycloheptenyl; c) an aromatic carbocycle selected from phenyl, naphthyl, indanyl, indenyl, dihydronaphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl or fluorenyl, d) a heteroaryl selected from pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl, furyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzpyrazolyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, quinazolinyl, and indazolyl, or a fused heteroaryl selected from cyclopentenopyridine, cyclohexanopyridine, cyclopentanopyrimidine, cyclohexanopyrimidine, cyclopentanopyrazine, cyclohexanopyrazine, cyclopentanopyridazine, cyclohexanopyridazine, cyclopentanoquinoline, cyclohexanoquinoline, cyclopentanoisoquinoline, cyclohexanoisoquinoline, cyclopentanoindole, cyclohexanoindole, cyclopentanobenzimidazole, cyclohexanobenzimidazole, cyclopentanobenzoxazole, cyclohexanobenzoxazole, cyclopentanoimidazole, cyclohexanoimidazole, cyclopentanothiophene and cyclohexanothiophene; or e) a heterocycle selected from: pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, piperazinyl and indolinyl; wherein each of the above Ar₁ are optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃; R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 7, and R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxymethyl or OH; and R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R₁₀ or (CH₂)_(n)CONR₈R₉; R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently selected from H, OH, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, benzoyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle; wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl, benzoyl, heteroaryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted with OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy, C₁₋₃acyloxy, CO₂R₁₀, NR₁₁R₁₂, O(CH₂)₂₄NR₁₁R₁₂, aryl or heteroaryl; or R₈ and R₉ together form a 4-6 member alkylene chain completing a ring about the N atom to which they are attached; wherein said alkylene chain is optionally interrupted by NCO₂R₁₀ or NR₁₁; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or —(CH₂)_(n)NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy or NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₆alkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy, OH or phenyl; or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂; and n is 0-3.
 9. A compound according to claim 8, wherein: Ar₁ is phenyl or pyridyl, each optionally substituted by one or more R₁, R₂ and R₃; R is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and selected from: halogen, C₁₋₃alkyl, wherein the C₁₋₃alkyl is optionally partially or fully halogenated, NO₂ or NR₈R₉; R₃ is H, halogen, methyl or methoxy; R₄ is H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and optionally substituted with OH; or R₄ is (CH₂)₂₋₃NR₈R₉ or CO₂R₁₀; R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are each independently selected from H, C₁₋₃alkyl branched or unbranched, CO₂R₁₀, phenyl, or benzoyl; wherein said alkyl, phenyl or benzoyl are optionally substituted with OH or C₁₋₃alkoxy; or R₈ and R₉ together form a —(CH₂)₂—N(CO₂R₁₀)—(CH₂)₂— group or a —(CH₂)₂—N(R₁₁)—(CH₂)₂— group; and wherein said ring is optionally substituted by C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, or OH; R₁₀ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl, OH, C₁₋₃alkoxy or NR₁₁R₁₂; R₁₁ and R₁₂ are each independently selected from H and C₁₋₃alkyl optionally substituted with C₁₋₃alkoxy or OH; or R₁₁ and R₁₂ together form a chain completing a ring, said chain is (CH₂)₄₋₅ or (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂. 